BY OMIKO AWA
Coming from the Art background and having mixed up with different people at various times of his life aside using music to campaign for social change, singing against some of the problems facing the country, Dare Fasasi (a.k.a. Baba Dee), now believes the desired social change would not come if the right people, those at the front burner run away from politics. He has dusted his hats and recently made his intentions of running for elective post under Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), known to the people.
The co-director of Tenant, a home movie that has won different awards within and outside the country including the African Movie Academy Award (AMAA), hopes to represent the Oriade local council development area of Lagos, in the State House of Assembly by 2011. “I‘m going into politics to make legislations that would make the youths to be of use to themselves, the society and to further impact on the people.”
“For over 16 years now, I’ve been singing about the rots of our society and performing in different stages all of the world, I think, it’s time to stop talking and to carry out those things I have sung about. I want to contribute to the making of laws that will better the lot of the youths that make up the largest number of our population and to create enabling structures that would make them to flourish and be their best in all facet of life. It’s for this that I’m declaring my intention to run in the Lagos State House of Assembly.”
He asserts that his crossover from the entertaining industry to politics is for the general good of the youths and to provide the leverage for growth.
Will this crossover not make you lose your fans? The 1999 University of Ibadan, Theatre Arts graduate, says,
“My fans know I’m consistent in anything I do. Ever since I graduated from the university, I have been on my own, never written any application to any organisation for a job; but have created something out of nothing and inspiring young artistes to achieve their aims in life.”
“My coming into politics is part of a movement; it’s the movement of conscious people into another stage and the support has been overwhelming from all those in showbiz and my fans.”
“I found out that the people due to years of broken promises don’t trust anybody in politics. The moment you say, you are declaring here or you are for this or that party they raise the flag, get curious; but rather than getting unnecessary curious, they should ask for a way out of the country problems,” he reasons. 
The self-styled King of Ragga music, who recently gathered other artistes including upcoming one to entertain children during Children’s Day in Festac, Lagos, argues, “The political class has over the years rubbished the people with unfulfilled promises, which have led to people not trusting them, but I cannot for that reason sit back and watch, when I can take up the mantle of leadership and make the right corrections, impact positively on lives.”
“I also believe Nigerians are beginning to be weary of professional politicians and it will be of great importance for anyone contesting for any public position to show the people the areas he or she has actually distinguished him or herself in the service of humanity — public or private. At least, make an impact in a particular area of life, because leadership requires experience and not just people for lack job, jump into politics; Nigerians should learn to stand against such people.”
Discovered on the stage of Lekki Sunsplash 95, after winning the keenly contested talent hunt show, Baba Dee the dance hall music crooner has been taking his new style vibes — Niaja Ninja — across Africa, performing in different European countries as well as motivating upcoming singers says he walk into politics is a revolution for a better society .
“I’m not just coming out because I want to be in politics. No! I’ m coming out because it’s a mission, a movement and a revolution of change. And we are not stopping there, in fact, we are moving beyond that to another stage known as ‘defend your vote.”
Defend your vote? “Yes! We are not just going to make people to register and vote, but to encourage them to stand by the voting booths to observe and record what’s happening to their votes and in any form possible — phones or camera —send to the appropriate authorities or the web site any abnormalities, for people to know and respond. We can no longer allow the votes of Nigerians to be stolen again as it was in the past. For the democratic process we are into, calls for everyone’s consciousness; meaning no more sit-down-look, so let every Nigerian rise to defend his or her vote.” 
“I encourage every Nigerian to register, so that we can collectively stop bad leadership through our votes. It’s a thing every Nigerian should be involved in, to make a change,” he enthuses.
The multi-talented artiste, who has featured on many home movies and soap operas, aside hosting his television programme ‘The Show’ on MITV, believes leaders should be committed to the welfare of their people. He reasons, “people vying for leadership positions should show more commitment to the people by using public utilities such as the hospital, sending their children to public schools and others. The point is, using these utilities will make them to know their state of decay and what the people go through. Or, how can a leader serve the people without knowing their pains. For you cannot be far away from the people, to know their feelings; power is about people and it’s time for Nigerians to get up and understand this.”
The co-founder of Naija Ninjas Records, who in 1997 made his debut album titled Most Wanted and has since released four others, hopes to actualize his dream by being people-centred.
“It’s not just me. It’s about you and the next man down the road. For the moment everyone starts playing his or her part, the moment the people stop seeing their representatives as superior beings, by calling them to order and asking necessary questions and demanding for answers, you will see our leaders living up to their responsibilities and at the same time defend your mandate. Nigerians should learn to demand for their rights, for if they don’t, how would it get them.” 
Will you bring recreational centres? “Yes!’ The dance hall music maestro in a sober voice fumes, “when corruption steps into any human endeavour everything changes. Look at FESTAC that was well constructed with the necessary amenities, but where are those things today; they have all gone down the drain. Shopping complexes and other business ventures have taken over the playgrounds; these are some of the things I will bring back, when elected into power. Our children need a place to play outside the home.”
Fasasi, who is presently working on his fifth album holds so much regards for the entertainment industry, he says, “I will ever be grateful to the entertainment industry. I’m an artiste and cannot change that outlook. What I am today comes from the industry and that is one of the reasons I must go to make laws that will protect their work and interest.”
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