Chief Olabode George is a man of many parts. He is a retired Navy Commodore, an ex-military governor and former Deputy National Chairman (South) of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). He was once convicted for a crime, went to prison and later absolved of that crime by the Supreme Court. He speaks with ORUKPE NELSON on his life’s experiences, lifestyle and current issues plaguing the nation.

Away from politics, could you tell us the last time you wore a suit?

During my daughter’s wedding in England, I was kitted up in suit and I wore bowler hats when I was in England. In my youth, I was very fashionable and mostly on suits.  At the University of Lagos, I remember going to school wearing suits just to attract the girls. I wear my suit any time I travel abroad but here as a politician, once you start wearing suit, you can be likened to those who work in the bank or a chief executive. But as a politician, you must wear the national dress otherwise people will think something is wrong with you. If I am going for a meeting and I wear a suit among the boys, they may not even recognise me. It is a status symbol to wear your agbada so people will know for sure that you are a fellow country man.

How was growing up?

I grew up in Lagos. I was born here and went to the community school at St. John. I was a very good footballer when I was young.  I was also rascally when I was young so they took me to a boarding school in Ijebu-Ode Grammar School. Throughout my secondary school, I was never second. I was always topping the class. My school had an arrangement that the best two in ordinary level students would go to a British school to do advanced level programmes, like an exchange programme. That was how I went to Brendan School. That was in 1960. When I came back, I went to the University of Lagos and read Electrical Engineering. When I graduated, I got a job in my final year even before we wrote the exams. After that period, I left for the Navy. During that time the Navy advertised they wanted young engineers because they were modernising. I went through all kinds of training for so many years. I can never be less thankful to the government of this country for the exposure they gave me. For military training, I went to United States Naval War College which is the best in the world. I have trained in so many weapon systems in so many countries and I stood by the construction of our flagship built in Germany.

When I came back, I had a non-regimented appointment which was as Governor of Ondo State. When I finished, I went to Policy and Strategic Studies in Kuru, Jos, So I am also a member of the Nigerian Institute, MNI.  After that, I started teaching at the Nigerian War College. Then, I went to work with General Oladipo Diya and I retired from there. I retired as a Commodore (a Brigadier-General) in the Navy and went into my private business which was mainly telecoms. Today, I am the deputy National President of the ruling party, PDP and a BoT member. I have a traditional title which is very regal in Yorubaland. I am the Atoona Oodua, meaning the progenitor of the Yoruba, that is the pathfinder and it is a highly honoured position.  Yes, I was in the Navy for over 20 years, but now I will like to be referred to in my traditional title which I got through my successes as a politician.

Do you have a special liking for wristwatches?

Not really, my wife bought this one I am wearing as a present. It’s a Monaco and that was a year ago. I like wearing this one especially because of the combination of colours on it.

Do you know who makes your clothes?

It is my wife. She is the one that takes care of all these things for me. My wife is very fashionable and she makes sure that my clothes are impeccable and stylish. She knows my measurement and takes them to the tailors and I just wear them. I don’t really care for all these things since I know she has good taste.

Do you like perfumes and who is your favourite designer?

Yes I love perfumes a lot. My favourite is French and the one I have been using was recommended by my wife. There comes a point in your life these things are no longer what you are after, but my wife is more conscious of them and makes sure I am well stocked with these kinds of things. My daughters also buy these things for me as well. My daughter is married and has two rascally boys. They all take care of me.

Can you remember the first time you talked to a lady?

You mean as a date? That will be in my secondary school when we go for debating society activities and meet the ladies and also when we go for inter-house sports.

Do you find time to relax despite your busy schedule?

When I have a goal to achieve, I go for it. I think it comes from my military background. I sleep late, like 3-4 in the morning. I don’t get up till it is mid-day. But once I get up, I can continue to work till late at night. On weekends, if there is nothing to do I will go on a walk or just sit down with the family and sort out household things. I was blessed with a little girl which we were not expecting but she came and she is a specially gift because she looks exactly like my mum. Once I am home, she takes my full time.

What are you most thankful for in life?

I should just continue to thank God; I have heard varied experiences in life.  There was a time I was wrongly accused and went to jail for a convoluted conspiracy.  But like the Supreme Court people said, how can you convict somebody on conjecture, on a nonexisting law because you want to punish him politically. I never thought that was possible in this country and one man who was the centre piece of this madness is the one raging all over the country now, a huge clown, trying to position himself. He is just a huge joke. He wants to position himself as the vice president of this country. Everything about him is a lie! That is why I fight that this kind of thing does not happen again to any other Nigerian. Anywhere such a thing happens, I will be there to fight for that person.

I still thank God because I have been at the highest mountain of this country, even in the bedroom of this country’s President.  And I have also been at the bottom of the worst valley in Nigeria.  From these, I can now understand the people and what they suffer. When I was in prison, I saw cases of people who have been there awaiting trial and they are more than those who have been tried and convicted. So I assisted many of them, especially when they come out, I ensure they enrol in the Open University system to better their lives.  When I was  there, I was able to assist someone who was on death roll for 28 years to get pardon from his governor.  Because of these varied experiences I have told my family that I want to set up Atono Collective Foundation to assist the youth.

What is it about your wife that has endeared her to you above all others?

I have been married, not once but thrice. I met my first wife at the university where we both schooled, but it didn’t work out. So I got another one who also left on religious grounds. Then I met my latest wife. She is much younger and she has been extremely tolerant and very understanding. When you find a woman who commits herself to you, it is a rare gift. She was there for me throughout the prison ordeal. People sent her texts and asked her to leave me. Bola Tinubu and his gang allegedly shot at her car to scare the devil out of her, but she remained absolutely unperturbed and loyal but she wept her brains out in the night at home during that period. We recall that now and smile but at that time, it was hell.  A few friends supported her. I am very pleased that she stood by me and she takes very good care of me and I am happy with her. And we have this very beautiful daughter between us who was very young at that time and she became the queen of the prison when they bring her over for a visit and Major Hamzat Al-Mustapha was always giving things to her when she came to visit us in the prison.