Prince Lanre Sanusi, popularly called ‘PLS’ by his followers and admirers, is a very known political figure, businessman and philanthropist, especially within the Lagos political circle.
Prince Sanusi earned his Associate Degree in Accounting from Tarrant County College USA, bagged his Bachelor’s Degree in Healthcare Management and minor in finance from Dallas Baptist University and the University of Texas, Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Dallas Baptist University USA.
He is currently pursuing a higher degree also in USA.
A Diligent entrepreneur and business leader with vast and proven expertise in Public Accounting and General Ledger (GL). He is a Tax consultant with over a decade of experience. Very knowledgeable in GAAP, data analytics, sophisticated modeling tools and healthcare management.
He is a highly technical experienced user of QuickBooks, Drake, Microsoft Dynamics GP, JD Edwards EnterpriseOne, Hyperion, SAP, Oracle, IBM Cognos, Visual Basic, SQL and Excel.
He aspired to represent the Amuwo Odofin Constituency at the Federal House of Representatives during the 2019 general elections and embarked on a very colorful and expensive campaign. He was massively voted for and emerged winner of the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary election. But while the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party affirmed his election, local political factors and intervention by the National Leader of the party allegedly denied him the party’s candidacy and this led him to relinquish his mandate.
His name was also put forward by Governor Babajide Olushola Sanwo-Olu for the position of a Commissioner, but once again, politics dealt another blow on the young, visionary and dynamic politician as the Lagos State House of Assembly denied him.
Before 2019, he had aspired to represent the people of Ikorodu Division at the House of Representatives, though, he put up a great campaign which heralded his foray into politics, he lost to the incumbent who is now serving a second term.
In this interview, which was conducted on June 12, via WhatsApp video, with Kunle Adelabu, the Publisher/Reporter – in – Chief, Prince Lanre, who shuttles between Nigerian and America where he’s based, bears his mind on his political disappointments, Sanwo-Olu’s administration in the last one year, views on people representing Amuwo Odofin at the National Assembly and Lagos State House of Assembly, his activities for the people of his constituency despite his denial to represent them, his connection with Ikorodu, effects of the internal crisis in America on Nigeria and his future political plans among others. Excerpts:
IMPACT: It’s quite a while and great to be speaking with you since last year, what have you been doing since your failed attempts to represent your people and also your inability to get an appointment despite your enormous contributions to the APC?
Prince Lanre Sanusi: It has been a while. Thank you for having me again. I return all the glory to God almighty for the opportunity to aspire for the ticket to serve the good people of Amuwo Odofin Federal Constituency. I sincerely appreciate the support that I received from the leadership and members of APC in Amuwo Odofin and Oriade LCDA, and by extension, Badagry Division and Lagos State at large. I have been busy with my profession as an entrepreneur, tax consultant, and now, real estate investor.
IMPACT: You are denied your party’s ticket as flagbearer for Amuwo Odofin Federal Constituency seat despite winning the primary. You were also prevented from becoming a Commissioner despite being nominated by the Governor. Looking back at all these, how did you accept these unfortunate developments despite the colossal investment?
PRINCE Lanre Sanusi: Well, I said at the beginning of this interview that all the glory must be to the Lord. I have forgotten about the whole saga, I have moved on and looking forward to greater rewarding future. It may be worrisome to sometimes reflect on past experiences and look at myself to be so unlucky, but I am resolute. I have forgotten about the past; I am more focused and excited about the future.
Perhaps, as we always say, God’s time is the best. “Orun to wa ni ita to aso gbe” (there is still space and time for anybody to fulfill his or her ambition). A huge investment you call it! I sincerely thank God for my great family. There is nothing I can do about the wasted time because that cannot be regained. Money aside, the most considerable investment cannot be quantified by the amount of money spent. Instead, the sacrificial support of members of the party coming out in their numbers to queue behind me especially on the day the primaries was conducted across various ward in Amuwo Odofin Federal Constituency. Special appreciation goes to the royal fathers, community leaders, and elders. PLS Apex leaders, PLS semi leaders, PLS Great Director-General, Constituency Chairman, Ward Coordinators, various PLS groups, including known and unknown foot soldiers and the Federal Constituency at large with Multiple techniques that was already set in place for direct primaries, indirect primaries or even a consensus candidate. I hope I will have the opportunity to pay them back now and in the future.
IMPACT: Let look at the governance in the last one year. How would you describe the performance of Mr. Sanwo – Olu’s administration?
PRINCE Lanre Sanusi: The first one year of the governor Sanwo-Olu sincerely has been excellent, and I will refer you to the State government website for updates on his achievement so far because they are numerous. However, towards the last quarter of the one year in office, you will agree that it has been a testing and challenging time for the State Government and also the federal and local governments, due to the COVlD – 19 pandemics. Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) has been dramatically affected and as a result of that, necessary adjustment at all levels to reduce the budget was very crucial. I pray the pandemic should be entirely over very soon and life will go back to normal. Lagos State once again has proven it wot with countless testimony as far as the most dangerous virus ever is concern
IMPACT: In what area will you advise the governor to look at to deliver good governance to the people?
PRINCE Lanre Sanusi: In the area of education. I am aware that the last administration reviewed the education policy, I believe the new administration will consolidate on that. Several steps can be taken in improving the education system in government schools. The government takes a stance and provides for a room in the budget so that the financial planning for investing in government schools can be taken up.
The system must provide a full-fledged budget for revamping educational standards in government schools. Keep a close check to ensure that amenities provided in government schools do exist or not, appoint highly qualified teachers and train them for a classroom environment and check infrastructural facilities in the schools by conducting a regular audit
The middle class is the heart of any serious government. The government must understand and respond to labor market demands. This administration must restore career and technical education as pathways to employment. It must also connect the worlds of work and learning and technology.
In the field of agriculture, we can no longer continue to depend on other states before we can feed the people in Lagos State, and I’m not just talking about rice production.
The pandemic has put the world on its toes. Lagos State Commissioner for Health is doing a great job. He needs several healthcare experts around him for a better productive healthcare and total reform in the health system in Lagos State.
The Ministry of Wealth Creation must have set goals and work towards creating jobs that will be self-sustaining. The government can generate employment in all sectors, including self-sustaining employment. America is a case study.
We need to work on our Internally Generated Revenue (IGR). I want to see a working revenue-generating committee like never before. We can no longer continue to operate as usual. The Lagos Internal Revenue Service (LIRS) Chairman needs to perform at another level without discomfort to the poor. The compliance and audit department of LIRS should step up their games. They seem to be too comfortable. The government needs to work on new software that will work with our system (Smiles). I do not want to go into details on that. The government can create millions of jobs with this alone.
The exco must be able to identify its strength and weakness in their respective ministries. They must come up with a new way to provide value and present it to the governor for consideration. I cannot say everything as you would want me to. I recognize the job so far by the exco members, but some ministries need to step up their games.
IMPACT: Let also look at the representatives of Amuwo Odofin. Do you think that those representing your constituency at the State and National Assemblies are adequately representing them, if not, in what areas would you have impacted on your people if you had been given a chance?
PRINCE Lanre Sanusi: Very Embarrassing! Hon. Oghene Egoh, currently representing Amuwo Odofin at the National Assembly has failed by all standard very miserable that he will be representing Amuwo Odofin for 8years. I am not saying this because he is in the opposition party, but even his party members are profoundly disappointed in him and the constituency in general. Although I am not at the National Assembly, I have pushed forward some of my clique constructive motions and a few of what I have on my spreadsheet. If it is God’s will someday, I can stand in either Chamber to present it myself. For the State Assembly members, I will say that without fear or favor of any kind, Hon Mojisola Macauly and Hon Wale Rauf are doing wonderfully well.
IMPACT: Politicians are known to flee whenever they fail to fulfill their political aspirations only to return when another election is approaching except for a few with genuine interests. In what way have you been connecting with the people in your constituency since your disappointments in the last general elections?
PRINCE Lanre Sanusi: You know a few of my antecedents. If not for a controversial political reason, I would have rolled out my achievements in the last one year even though I am not a Representative in any Chamber of the National Assembly or State Assembly. I may have to do that after due consultations. Some of it you already know, and you can also do your independent findings, “mi o gbodo maa yin ara mi” (I cannot start praising myself), let the people be the judge.
IMPACT: Ikorodu Division is also one of your constituencies, as someone who is totally connected with the three Senatorial Districts in Lagos, what should the people of Ikorodu be expecting from you?
PRINCE Lanre Sanusi: I’m a Prince from the prominent Rademo Ruling House in Ikorodu just as I am from the Omoya Family, Kuje Amuwo – Odofin, which is also a royal family. Beyond my Princehood, I hope for the appropriate time to serve Lagos state and Nigeria in general.
IMPACT: Generally, do you still have political ambition, and if yes, what are your plans?
PRINCE Lanre Sanusi: With my recent experience, terrifying! Well, with the support of the party in Amuwo Odofin Federal Constituency…more indepth political consultations are highly needed because the party is always supreme. However, time will tell.
THE IMPACT: Nigeria is celebrating another June 12 Anniversary today, which is now known as ‘Democracy Day’, will you say that 21 years after the annulment of the June 12 Presidential election won by late MKO Abiola, the country has attained true democracy?
Prince Lanre Sanusi: Democracy itself is a process and in Nigeria, democracy is gradually settling with Nigerians. I will need an epistle to go into detail.
THE IMPACT: Recently, the national leader of the All Progressive Congress (APC) and the Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC) resolved that grouping within the party must be abolished, what is your view and do you see this happening in view of the fact that there had been such pronouncement before?
PRINCE Lanre Sanusi: I have been an active member of this political family since 1999. This is not the first time such decision has been made. I think that it is stricter now and highly thoughtful decision. I hope it will yield further development for APC, especially in Lagos State. I have taken it as a directive coming from the leadership of our great party and I implore all loyal members of the party to abide by it.
IMPACT: As an America – based businessman and politician, do you think that what is going on right now in the USA would have an impact on Nigeria, if yes, in what ways is the country going to be impacted considering Nigeria’s socio-economic cum political relation with the USA?
PRINCE Lanre Sanusi: Yes, I have businesses in America, but I am not an American politician. It is a known fact that Nigeria has already been affected. It is a global challenge and Nigeria has been affected by international trade, in the exchange of currency that I can tell you for free. Crude oil is another vast way we have been affected as well as international trade e.tc. I wrote a researched paper on “The Effect of COVID-19 On Globalization and Politics”. It will probably be published soon, and I will send it to you personally.
IMPACT: Thank you and l will greatly appreciate that, Prince.
PRINCE Lanre Sanus: You can count on that. Thank you.
