{The Race & The Runners} SuperKay: Riding On Father’s Goodwill

Kayode Emmanuel Oduoye, often referred to as ‘Superkay’, is a Nigerian politician, lawyer, businessman and philanthropist. He is a member of the People’s Democratic Party and was the party’s candidate for House of Representatives in 2015.

Oduoye was born in October 6, 1970 in Ibadan to the family of Late Senator & Chief (Mrs) Simeon Olasunkanmi Oduoye of Ikirun in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Osun State. The Senior Oduoye was military governor of Niger and Ebonyi States between 1996 and 1999. He retired as an Assistant Inspector General in the Nigerian Police in 1999. He also represented Osun Central Senatorial District in the Nigerian Senate from 2003 to 2007. Kayode Oduoye attended INRI Experimental Nursery and Primary School, Onireke, Ibadan; St.Richard’s Catholic Primary School, Jericho, Ibadan and the famous Government College Ibadan (GCI) where he sat for his West African School Certificate Examination in 1988.

He then gained admission to study Law at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife in 1989; however, because of the unrest in the institution that year, he, like many “Jambites” of that time, did not resume academic work until 1990. From OAU, he received a Second Class Upper grade in Law in 1995 and also finished as the best foreign student in the Master of Law class at the University of Buckingham, United Kingdom in 1998. He majored in International Trade and Commercial Law. Upon his return to Nigeria from his overseas studies, Kayode Oduoye set up ShalomKay Group. The Company is involved in Telecommunication, Energy, Oil and Gas.

Oduoye’s foray into politics began in 2001, but because of the circumstance of his father’s involvement in the politics as well, Kayode did not seek any political position at the period. He was actively involved in the youth mobilisation activities for his father’s successful senate bid in 2003. In 2015 however, he contested for a seat in the House of Representatives to represent the constituents of Ifelodun/Odo-Otin /Boripe Federal Constituency of Osun State. Based on the feelers from his party agents which indicated the election was skewed to favour his opponent, Oduoye was persuaded by his numerous supporters to challenge the results of the election at the Election Tribunal. On 16 December 2015, the Court of Appeal in Akure upheld the decision of the trial Tribunal led by Justice A.G. Kwajaffa and finally resolved the case against him.

Oduoye is married to the popular Nollywood actress Mosunmola Filani-Oduoye. The togetherness is blessed with children. Kayode Oduoye has attracted criticism from detractors who believe that the source of his wealth is his father’s savings. It is believed that his father who died March 21, 2014, left big wealth for him.

Oduoye has been conferred with awards by different communities, student organisations, faith-based groups, cultural and academic institutions in response to his impactful contributions to human and communal development and peaceful co-existence. He was bestowed with Doctor Honoris Causa of the Bradley University, Illinois in 2015. He was also conferred with the “Knight of the Law Society” (KLS) by the Law Students Society, OAU, Ile-Ife in 2015 and Exemplary Leadership Award by Rotaract Club of Osun State Polytechnic, Iree in 2016. In addition, he has, on several occasions, received awards for his noble contributions to community and national development from the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS South-West), Nigerian Union of Journalists, Osun State; OAU Chapter of the National Association of Osun State Students; and 2016 LAUTECH Graduating Medical Students, among others.

Oduoye is believed by many youths within the PDP to have the capacity to flag the party ticket in September 22, 2017, by riding on the political structure of his late father, but some sections of the party have also written him off on the ground that he does not have the political capacity to flag the party’s flag at the election.

Inspite the mixed feeling about his intention to run for the governorship seat, SuperKay has begun massive mobilization for his governorship ambition across the state.