Alhaji Samari Teina Abdulmalik is Chief Executive Officer of Sam Tee Oil and Gas limited. He is a business mogul and an astute politician. His humanitarian gestures has today earned him a sobriquet “Ayamba” (The Merciful). In this interview, he bares his mind his passion for his constituents and his political ambition.
Teina is a household name in Central Senatorial District of Kogi State. What’s the secret?
Teina: It’s Allah’s doing. Teina always try to be himself, respect both the young and the elders. Respect the cultures and traditions of my community and always try to be there for my people whenever my service is being sought for.
As a successful businessman, what motivated your joining politics?
Teina: Quest to render more human and selfless service to the society are my driving force into the political field.
Do you have interest to contest come 2015 general election?
Teina: Allah willing, I’m aspiring.
Which of the political office will you be running for?
Teina: Am contesting the House of Representatives in my quest to represent my people in Okene/Ogori-Magongo at the lower chamber of the National Assembly.
You have contested for that same position before now, why the consistency?
Teina: The desired for the position was a preconceived ideas based on my vision that had been the engine force behind my aspirations. It couldn’t have changed so suddenly when it hasn’t been actualized. There are reasons behind all political aspirations. It depends on the individual vision and mission.
In brief, can you share with us your Vision/Mission for your people if elected?
Teina: My Vision in Politics is to be able to touch people’s lives with sustainable projects which they can identify with and develop upon in the short and long term basis. My mission is to offer my Constituency, qualitative representation at the legislative chamber through presentation of quality and pragmatic bills that would address some of the challenges facing our community and making contributions to national issues.
Challenges like, Education in my constituency, unemployment, empowering both the youth and women. We are going to run an Open all participatory form of legislatures, where a meeting of all stakeholders shall be convened once at least in every month.
What do you have that your opponents don’t that stands you out among them?
Teina: Experience! My sojourn in the Federal Civil Service as a principal officer before my resignation to participate in politics stands me out. I’ve got enough experience politically as a result of my long time in politics. I was a follower of our late political icon in the central. Am a member of Late Senator Ahmed Tijani Ahmed political institutions.
In 2003 Governorship Election, I put into practice the art of politics I learned under my Late Father. Alhaji Isah Teina Samari of blessed memory. I worked as the Youth Mobiliser for my amiable, humble, civilized and very progressive minded person. The late Engr. Yusuf Ahmed Onogoh. May Allah bless their souls.
What do you have to say about the said political marginalisation of Ogori-Magongo axis as it relates House of Representatives?
That’s one area that I intend to correct if given the necessary desired political power. It’s a well known fact that I maintained a very good, cordial and healthy relationship both politically and outside politics with my good people of Ogori-Magongo. This was evidence from the last dispensing PDP Primaries elections where I triumphed over all the contestants including the present House of Representatives member.
The issue is a constituent’s arrangement that we are going to put in place from now henceforth. It should be a kind of arrangement where all the political parties would agree to choose their respective House of Representatives candidates from Ogori – Magongo axis to avoid any sympathy or influence kind of votes.
I’ll equally implore my good people of Ogori-Magongo to step up in their quest for that position. It’s never known in the world over where Political Power is being given on a Platter of gold. You seek, ask and agitate before you could achieve your desired aim. Especially, where there’s obviously an issues of population imbalance.
What is your advice to the Political Leaders in Central Senatorial Districts especially Okene/Ogori-Magongo Federal Constituency?
Teina: My advice to our political leaders is, let all the political players be civilized, matured and understanding. They should eschew the act violence and bitterness in politics. The Love for power shouldn’t be ahead of power for loving ourselves for better society.
As a youth and an aspirant, what is your advice to the youths?
Teina: Our youths should be very ambitious and be focused in their respective future pursuit either in education, business or whichever field they might have chosen in life. They shouldn’t allow anybody what so ever, a politician, business person or who to use them negatively. They are the future leaders and they should guide an preserved their life for that.
Finally sir, what do want to be remembered for?
Teina: From my Vision statement, I talk of sustainable projects and a matured, civilized and understanding politics that were devoid of hatred and violence free.
