Engr. Mrs. Erelu Kemi Elebute-Halle is currently the most influential woman in Ekiti State politics. She possesses deep-rooted connections that reach the highest levels of Nigeria’s political landscape, including direct ties with members of the First Family. Kemi is regarded as a game changer—a politician with a proverbial Midas Touch. In this interview, she reflects on her past, shedding light on significant issues, including the behind-the-scenes activities and challenges that led her to join the ADP before ultimately transitioning to the APC, along with her current focus.
Excerpts:
QUESTION: You help people and communities. What motivates you?
It’s an innate quality; I’m a natural philanthropist. I owe this to my mother, who is a kind-hearted giver, and I’ve inherited that trait.
QUESTION: What specifically ignited your passion, and when did it all begin?
The desire to serve comes from my upbringing. My parents were both natural philanthropists, and I’ve always enjoyed giving to others quietly. In 2018, one of my husband’s partners noticed my efforts. I would buy bags of rice and donate food to orphanages and IDP camps, even in areas outside my town. Whenever I saw someone in need, I would find a way to help them. My husband’s partner pointed out that what I was doing resembled the work of NGOs. I replied that I didn’t need an NGO to help people.
However, after receiving generous gifts from my husband in 2018, I thought about how to use that money meaningfully. I decided to volunteer with a foundation that would function like an NGO, focusing on supporting orphanages, single parents, widows, and vulnerable communities. This initiative has greatly enriched my life and allowed me to meet the needs of those around me.
QUESTION: You’ve been involved in politics. What inspired you to pursue this field?
My passion for service remains unwavering. I genuinely enjoy serving others; it is a core aspect of my personality. I transitioned into politics by engaging in the political activities of others, coming from a family deeply rooted in politics where I learned the intricacies of the field.
I recall a conversation in 2001 with my aunt, an ambassador, where I expressed my admiration for her political style and my desire to become a politician. She advised me against it, saying I was too young, and suggested that I keep this ambition from my mother, who would likely disapprove. This conversation influenced my decision to approach my political aspirations gradually.
During that time, I would often ask anyone I was dating if they could accept being with a politician in the future, as I intended to pursue a career in politics. My mother’s approach to politics inspired me; she was known for her generosity and ability to positively impact lives. She often distributed gifts during festive seasons, which some people misunderstood as rituals. For instance, during Christmas, she would receive chickens and ask me to distribute them even on the streets. Similarly, during Sallah, she would give away rams. While some thought these actions were ritualistic, we understood they stemmed from her desire to help others.
Motivated by her outreach efforts, I aspired to enter politics so that I could make a difference in people’s lives as she did. A pivotal moment that solidified my interest in politics occurred when I had a Hausa friend involved in workers’ union politics. I have always detested oppression and gossip, particularly when it involves belittling others. Witnessing people mock those less fortunate disgusts me; if I have the power to change such narratives, I will do everything in my capacity to effect that change.
During an election cycle with ten candidates from various ethnic groups—Igbo, Yoruba, and Hausa—I noticed that the Yoruba candidate had already held office for two terms. It was time for a Hausa candidate to take over; however, the Hausa candidate lacked the financial resources even to print posters. Initially, I had endorsed a Yoruba candidate but felt compelled to advocate for fairness.
I questioned why another Yoruba candidate should assume office again when it was time for the Hausa community to lead. When someone asked if I was supporting the Hausa candidate, I clarified that it was about doing what was right rather than tribal loyalty. Despite being told that the Hausa candidate couldn’t afford campaign materials, I sought him out and offered to sponsor his election campaign fully.
This experience not only deepened my commitment to politics but also reinforced my belief in advocating for fairness and justice within our political landscape.
QUESTION: Where did the workers’ union politics take place?
It took place at the Federal Ministry of Works, which is what initially drew me into politics. I was involved in discussions and asked for quotations because my husband is a contractor, and I had some funds to contribute. I wanted to know the costs for printing posters and obtaining the necessary forms. My Hausa candidate had previously attempted this but couldn’t secure the form due to the high costs, so I reached out to him to discuss it further.
I sat down with him and asked what he needed to proceed, expressing my desire to support him. He mentioned that I was already backing another candidate, but I explained that my support for him was based on his availability at that time. While supporting him, I was also buying recharge cards for people to help campaign for the Yoruba candidate, which might have seemed contradictory. However, my commitment to doing the right thing motivated me.
Eventually, I informed my Yoruba candidate that I could no longer support him because we needed to back the Hausa candidate, given that it was their turn after the Yoruba had held office. I emphasized that it was about doing what was right rather than being selfish. After discussing it with my Yoruba candidate, I provided funds to the Hausa candidate so he could produce his posters. His campaign materials turned out to be so impressive that they caught everyone’s attention—people even began to speculate whether he was running for governor.
We started actively campaigning by placing his name on various tables and offices as part of our outreach efforts. Although I couldn’t always accompany my Hausa candidate during campaigns due to my commitments, I made sure to coordinate with him when I was available. My involvement became significant enough that someone jokingly asked if I had become a Hausa supporter. I clarified that it wasn’t about tribal affiliation; it was simply about wanting to do the right thing.
Ultimately, this experience propelled me into higher levels of politics, leading me into broader political engagement at the national level.
QUESTION: Did you achieve success in that endeavor?
Yes, I succeeded.
QUESTION: You played a crucial role in helping that candidate win the election.
We came very close to winning.
QUESTION: That experience provided you with valuable insights.
I gained a wealth of experience. During this election the political landscape shifted; once it became apparent he was likely to win, the dynamics changed. We monitored the process closely until they announced a break, which ultimately altered everything. This experience led me to transition into another realm of politics, as my uncle friend expressed interest in running for governor of Ekiti State.
QUESTION: Did losing that election affect you?
It wasn’t my personal loss; I learnt a lesson or two from that experience and transitioned into a different aspect of political engagement at the state level.
QUESTION: What was the motivation behind this transition?
The driving force was my ability to work effectively for that candidate. It felt like moving from secondary school with good results directly to university; that’s how significant the transition felt.
QUESTION: Justice-oriented
Yes, exactly. If you see a secondary school student who consistently fails their exams, they may lack confidence when moving on to university. However, I had just completed my experience in local politics and was ready to engage in broader political activities. I sought to work with someone experienced—someone who had previously served as governor. When that opportunity arose, it felt like a seamless transition within just two weeks.
While pursuing this new path, I was deeply passionate about it. One thing I’ve learned about politics is that it’s often a numbers game, which also involves significant financial resources. Having some funds makes navigating politics much easier. Thus, it wasn’t difficult for me to engage in this new political landscape because I believe that true politics should address the needs of the people. When you can meet those needs, people naturally gravitate towards you; it’s a natural phenomenon.
I was able to replicate this approach with my leader by conducting surveys and ensuring his name was well-known before he arrived at any location. I executed these tasks effortlessly and effectively gathered support from community to community.
QUESTION: Had you already reached out to him before proceeding in this state?
Yes, he informed me that my leader wanted to contest a second time and encouraged me to get involved, even though I wasn’t sure if he recognized my capabilities. I agreed to participate, and we began working vigorously together. During the primaries, however, he faced some unfair treatment. We noticed warning signs and tried to address the loopholes. Unfortunately, when people saw that he was a formidable candidate, they spread false information to undermine him.
If a leader is not careful, they can easily turn friends into enemies by taking every piece of advice without discernment. I had been observing the situation closely from the background and had already identified about 90% of the individuals working against him. I alerted him to these signals, but some of those same people were feeding him lies.
The election I attended was not originally my intended focus; I had purchased a form for my leader because I anticipated that he might lose the primaries. I wanted to ensure there was an alternative plan in place. When others suggested alternatives to him, I had already explored those options myself.
I received calls from people who were concerned about my actions, as they had learned that I obtained another form for someone else. I explained that it was my decision and that my loyalty remained with my leader. Despite attempts to create a communication gap between us, I reached out to inform him that his form was with me.
He was the first candidate in this state who could win an election regardless of the party affiliation. However, when I tried to discuss this with him, he stopped taking my calls. After several attempts, I sent him a message urging him to pick up because it was urgent. When he finally did answer, he dismissed my efforts and said if I wanted to contest, I should go ahead and do so.
I expressed my frustration at not being able to finish explaining that his form was with me. He insisted that if I thought I could win in Ekiti, then I should proceed with the contest. So, I decided to use the form myself. To my surprise, as I began campaigning, I realized the support was encouraging.
QUESTION: At that time, were you running against him?
Yes, I was. When he realized that my campaign was gaining traction, I had already been relatively unknown in Ekiti at the time I decided to contest. I submitted my form just a few days before the deadline and didn’t even have a running mate prepared. As the deadline approached, I scrambled to find a deputy. It was around midnight when I finally secured a candidate; the person who brought the form from Abuja had to drive down quickly for the necessary signatures since we needed to submit it the next day.
I then began canvassing from house to house and local government area to local government area, advocating that a woman could also be a governor. Some people mocked me, while others were receptive to the idea.
I visited all 177 wards in Ekiti State, campaigning tirelessly and often staying in meetings until 3 AM. As my efforts intensified, people began reaching out to me from various quarters, including my leader.
At one point, I was overwhelmed when he called me. I didn’t know how to respond and ended up crying. I reminded him that the form was originally for him, which he had rejected, and asked what I should do now. He urged me to come back, but I felt it would be difficult to return.
Many of his supporters started reaching out, suggesting I take on roles like Deputy Governor. However, I made it clear that I was contesting on my own terms and was not desperate for such positions.
I visited all 177 wards in Ekiti State within three months. Despite attempts to sway me during the campaign, I remained focused. Some influential figures tried to convince me to withdraw from the race, but ultimately failed because I wasn’t convinced enough to collaborate with them.
Competing against 16 male candidates—many of whom had previously run for presidential elections in Nigeria—and being the youngest and only female in the race, I finished fourth overall.
I had made it clear that if I didn’t use this form for something meaningful, I wouldn’t waste my resources on it. My leader had challenged me to try my hand at it, so I decided to go for it. We are all from Ekiti, after all.
I learned that winning an election or a race doesn’t solely define success; even the effort itself is significant. As the only female candidate at that time—if you search online, you’ll find references to me as the first female gubernatorial candidate in Ekiti State—I campaigned as if my life depended on it.
Despite attempts to confuse and sway me during the campaign, I remained focused. Some influential figures tried to persuade me to withdraw from the race but ultimately failed because I wasn’t convinced enough to collaborate with them. Competing against 16 male candidates, many of whom had previously run for presidential elections in Nigeria—and some who could have been my grandfathers—I finished fourth overall. I was the youngest and the only female in the race.
QUESTION: Was the support you received primarily from women or men?
I don’t have specific statistics on that.
QUESTION: As you campaigned, what type of people did you see coming out to support you?
I was surprised to see a diverse crowd, including many elderly individuals. Initially, I thought my campaign would attract mainly youth and children, but when I gathered a crowd of ten, six of them were adults—both male and female. Their presence gave me a lot of courage. Adults would come and sit down to listen to my campaign speeches, waiting for me even until 3 AM on some occasions. At one point, people speculated that I might receive sympathy votes, but I believed that the support came from both men and youth who were eager for change at that time.
QUESTION: Which year’s election was this?
This was in 2022.
QUESTION: Now, looking ahead to 2026, do you envision yourself running again?
As for 2026, I don’t plan to run for office. especially for the governorship election, as I have developed a close relationship with the current governor.
QUESTION: The current governor is not the individual you ran against.
I contested against him.
QUESTION: So, you have reconnected with him?
Yes, we have reunited. He was one of the sixteen candidates I contested against. Observing his humble approach to politics has influenced my perspective. If I were to contest again, I wouldn’t switch to the APC; I would prefer to remain in my former party because I have built a solid reputation in Ekiti politics. While I don’t want to overrate myself in Nigerian politics, my campaign clips are still referenced on Channels TV and Arise TV. If I had intentions to contest again, I wouldn’t change parties.
QUESTION: What prompted the reunion?
I believe the governor is doing well; he is a humble and responsive leader who is results-oriented. Therefore, I am committed to supporting him in achieving his second-term agenda. Historically, Ekiti State has never had two consecutive governors serving two terms, which has hindered our progress. A governor serving two terms has no excuse not to perform well; after eight years, constituents can hold them accountable for their achievements. In contrast, a governor with a shorter four-year term may not face the same level of scrutiny.
I hope that Ekiti State can make the necessary changes to allow him to be re-elected in 2026. While some may suggest preparing for my candidacy in future elections due to my efforts, my focus right now is on working with a governor who is actively making progress. My goal is to support him in making his second term a reality.
QUESTION: Politics is driven by self-interest. What motivates you to work for someone else?
My interest lies in service.
QUESTION: So, you don’t prioritize your own interests or the pursuit of any position?
Life is about taking one step at a time. If you try to take multiple steps simultaneously, you risk crashing or failing unless guided by divine intervention. You can’t be in Sokoto and Kaduna at the same time, even if they are both northern states. Life revolves around interests, and one of the best interests anyone can have is peace of mind.
QUESTION: Are you suggesting that you have either retired or resigned from active politics?
I cannot retire or resign from active politics. If you ask my governor, he would tell you that I am still very much involved in activities, even if some people mock me for it. I believe it’s better to engage actively than to do nothing at all. I’m not saying I’ve resigned; rather, I’m currently working for someone who is actively involved in politics, and I’m focused on building trust with him.
QUESTION: What is the motivation?
My motivation comes from his humility. He has shown me humility many times, and I respect those who respect me. It’s important to recognize the struggles we all face in life and appreciate those who approach life not as a battleground.
QUESTION: On the topic of women in politics, do you believe your representation is adequate?
What is the male population in Nigeria? Even here, where we are sitting, what is the ratio of men to women? If anyone wants to succeed in politics or anything else, excluding women will lead to failure because we make up at least 65% of the world’s population, especially within the black race. If anyone believes that women should not participate in politics, they will witness a failed society.
Recently, someone told me they wanted to apologize to God for believing that females are more important than men. I asked why, and he explained that if God created 100 men and 100 women equally, the success rate for women would be around 85%, compared to just 15% for men.
QUESTION: What was your reaction?
I asked him to elaborate. He explained that out of 100 men growing up, you might find about 10% who become criminals and end up in jail. Another 10% may struggle with alcoholism or drug addiction, and yet another 10% could be misled by peer pressure. However, when looking at 100 women, the chance of encountering these issues drops to about 15%. He argued that if you invest equally in men and women, you would see an 85% success rate among women compared to just 15% for men. That is the reality.
QUESTION: I have reported on elections in Nigeria for decades and have witnessed women voting passionately against their own interests. How do you respond to that?
The lack of orientation and sensitization plays a significant role in this issue. People often ask me why this is changing. If you compare the percentage of female voters in the 1980s to those in the 2020s, you’ll see a notable shift. For instance, in 2009, the percentage of female voters was significantly lower than in 2022, where we saw much greater encouragement for women participating in elections.
There was a time when people would dismiss a female candidate, but now it’s clear that women matter greatly in politics. Cultural and educational barriers once deterred us; many women were not educated or held back by religious beliefs. However, today, more women are becoming educated professionals—lawyers, heads of organizations—especially in Yoruba land.
The saying “what a man can do, a woman can do better” is increasingly relevant, particularly in the western region where both men and women contribute equally to the household. As people realize that women are integral to society and can lead effectively, there’s growing recognition of our capabilities. Women tend to be more compassionate and focused on ensuring that decisions benefit future generations. While there may be some instances of women misbehaving, they are far less frequent compared to men. Unfortunately, these instances are often exaggerated due to societal perceptions that discourage women from speaking out.
QUESTION: What advice do you have for your supporters now that you have transitioned to a different platform?
I’ve given my supporters the choice to either stay where they are or follow me on my new path, and that decision is entirely theirs. I have communicated my intentions clearly and have tried to carry them along with me. As an empathetic leader, I don’t believe in forcing my will on anyone; I want them to make their own choices.
Sometimes, as a leader or parent, you must make decisions for those who may not yet understand what’s best for them. There are supporters whom I guide because I know what’s best for them, and they may thank me later for it. However, others are free to choose their own direction. I’ve advised those who wish to follow me to come along, while those who prefer to remain with their current party can do so without any pressure from me. One thing I can assure them is that following my lead will not lead to regret.
QUESTION: You were awarded a chieftaincy title that many believe you truly deserve, according to those I’ve spoken with. How do you feel about receiving that title?
The title is one my community has wanted to bestow upon me for a long time. I’ve postponed accepting it twice due to my busy schedule. However, when you have a good leader, sometimes you have to make decisions for others. It’s like parenting—sometimes you must guide your children even if they don’t understand the importance of your decisions until they see the results.
I discussed this title with my leader, who emphasized its significance since it represents my heritage and community. He encouraged me to accept it, stating that this would be the most important title I’ve received because it connects me to my roots. He insisted that I should go and accept it, reminding me that charity begins at home. I’m grateful for the governor’s advice and thankful that I listened, as it helped me recognize the importance of honoring my origins.
QUESTION: What is your relationship with your traditional leader?
He is like a father to me. I come from a royal lineage on both sides—my mother is a princess, and my father was a prince. The king is indeed my father, and we share a strong bond. Our relationship is solid, and nothing can change that.
QUESTION: Is there anything you would like to share with your community, especially the young people?
I encourage them to work hard and persistently pursue their dreams. Sometimes, dreams don’t materialize as we envision them. For instance, while I am proud to be a graduate and civil engineer today, I failed my WAEC exams six times before achieving success. Each time I failed, I kept trying until God answered my prayers.
Experiencing setbacks should not discourage you; if you know you’re on the right path, keep pushing forward. Success often requires perseverance—like cracking a hard rock; it may take several attempts before you succeed. If you hit it once and it doesn’t break, try again. You might find success by the seventh attempt.
I urge our youth to endure patiently and pray while waiting for success to come. Embrace the process of striving for your goals, and trust that God will guide us all through our journeys.
Thank you for the opportunity to interview you.