by Isi Esene

After losing his dad at the age of two to a retroactive law put in motion by then military Head of State, Muhammadu Buhari, Ismail Lawal, son of Ojuolape Lawal (30) – one of the three men executed for drug trafficking in 1985 has thrown his support behind the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate.

In a chat with YNaija Editor, Isi Esene, Lawal, a graduate of International Political Economy from Texas State University, United States of America expressed dissatisfaction at the performance of President Goodluck Jonathan calling for a more deliberate, proactive, forward looking government.

Read excerpts from the interview below:

Since your father was killed in 1984, how has life been generally?

Life has been life. Ups and downs, good times and bad times just like it usually is for every hard working average Nigerian family trying to make a decent living. I had a great support system like we typically do in Nigeria – Hardworking single mother, uncles, aunts, foster parents, and a god father (not it the political sense) but in the actual father figure sense. I have all these people to thank for ensuring that I had a decent life growing up.

At the time of your father’s death, how did you and your family feel?

To be honest, I don’t remember much because I was a 2 year old toddler when he died but I recall my mum describing how difficult things were for her emotionally and financially having to raise 3 kids on her own. I am glad she persevered and ensured we had the basics we needed growing up. She saw me through graduate school and I am indebted to her for a lot.

No member of my family ever sat me down to explain what happened. The entire picture of what actually transpired did not become known to me until I was 16/17 yrs old. All I relied on before then was inclination and family circle gist here and there. I found out the true and accurate stories in one of the Yoruba publications of the 1990s. I kept the paper for a long time. Finding out about the circumstances of his death really hurt given that he committed the crime when the penalty was 6 months – 3 years, if my memory serves me right. He might have thought twice about his actions if the existing law at the time imposed the death penalty. Passing a law that allows for being punished retroactively is evil simply because the offender might have reconsidered prior to committing the offense. It hurt and it still does. Devastating.

How has your family fared since your father was executed by the Buhari regime? 

Like every other family out there, we have had our fair share of good times and bad times but we remain hopeful for a brighter tomorrow. It hasn’t been easy, especially for my mum. She is one of the many super-mums out there performing the duties of 2 parents. Just like the rest of us, she is not a perfect person but she is a perfect mother and she made sure to give us the best. Putting it in perspective, she supported me and helped me earn a Master’s degree in International Political Economy from Texas State University. That’s all thanks to my hardworking mother. It’s been tough but we’ve persevered and remain hopeful.

What prompted you to leave Nigeria?

I actually left Nigeria for graduate school. I studied at the prestigious University of Ilorin and served the Federal Republic as a youth corper in a secondary school at Kokar Bulukiyya in Dala LGA, Kano state. I worked briefly after my youth service and left for graduate school in the US.

When you became older and came to the realization of the circumstances surrounding your father’s death, what was your mindset about the Nigerian government?

Frustration and anger like millions of fellow Nigerians towards the government at the Federal level for the most part. Even though there are bright spots here and there, those opportunities have not been capitalized on. We still play yoyo with issues like the rule of law, where the rich and influential get away with crimes that the not-so-rich Nigerians are hounded for.

You said you would vote for Gen. Buhari if you had a chance, why?

The abysmal performance of the PDP at the federal level since the advent of the democracy in 1999 is why. The lack of will on the part of POTFRON to act on serious national issues: Chibok Girls, missing oil revenue as reported by the CBN and other audit reports, amongst many other issues. The severe disconnect between the development of the nation and the revenue that has accrued to this government is also another reason why I would have voted for the general. The slim chance that people like Babatunde Fashola, Adams Oshiomhole, Oby Ezekwesili, Bukola Saraki, Kayode Fayemi, Nasir el-Rufai amongst many others would play a role in his administration inspires hope. These individuals are not saints but they have a proven track record of performance in public service.

Does any member of your family share the same sentiment [on voting for Buhari]?

I have not had this conversation my family. I cannot speak for them as I am my own man with one vote, if I have it. Everybody is feeling the pinch of a badly managed economy and for me that’s enough reason to vote for change. Nigeria is bigger than my family and the federal republic needs to be saved from falling apart. My family will not fall apart because of my decision.

What do they feel about your stand on Buhari, and about possibly voting for him?

Isi, I honestly don’t know. I promise you’ll be one of the first to know when I find out. [laughs]

Why do you think Buhari deserves to be president?

He comes across as having the political will, which is a necessary tool for the economic prosperity of every country, democratic or otherwise. As mentioned earlier, the slim hope of the caliber of people that would make up his cabinet is also another reason. The PDP has been in power for 15 going on 16 years with no real improvements so; it is only rational for us as a country to try something different. Only an insane country will keep voting the same set of politicians in while expecting different results.

What is your assessment of President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration?

Abysmally poor!

Have you ever had an audience with Buhari to air your views or reservations against the retroactive law?

I have never met the General. I don’t think I want to meet him. The buck stops at his desk and I hold him responsible for my dad’s execution but the country needs him and that’s way more important than my personal grievance with him.

Do you think your late father would support your decision to vote for Buhari?

That’s a million dollar question. There’s obviously no way I can know for sure but the stories I hear of him are of a man that had a large heart. If that holds true then he would approve and smile down at me. Even though I know it holds true (that he had a large heart), and in case he does not approve, I ask for his forgiveness. What however holds true and I am convinced of is that Nigeria needs a break from POTFRON and the PDP, hence my stance.

How do you view a Nigeria under Buhari?

With the kind of team I envision him surrounding himself with? They represent a recipe that will take us from the brink, and lay a solid foundation for a better and solid tomorrow with aggressive political and socio-economic reforms.