Mr

Affable and stylish politician, Barrister Tunde Braimoh is one fellow very popular on the social scene. In this chat with Ayobami Adedeji, the quintessential politician reveals his style, business and why his political career is experiencing a lull.

YOU have been quiet on the social and political scenes for some time now, what have you been up to?
I thank God you met me where I'm trying to reorganise my Law chambers. It got burnt sometimes ago and the renovation is almost completed. So, right now, I'm working from home .I'm also into hospitality, Importation, building and construction. I'm also a distributor for international franchise .In politics too, I'm still very active. As a former local government chairman, I'm a senior member of the party in my area. What made people think that I've abandoned politics is because of the lull in my career. I've not been in any elective positions or get an appointment since 2002.It happens, and I guess that's because I've not been in the right place, but I'm still very relevant within the party. In fact, I've become a better person. I feel someone like me should not come out for election that is sure to lose. I'm very familiar with the power that be in the Action Congress of Nigeria. If there is no beckon, it's just foolhardy to jump into the ring.

Some people see you as sociable and fun-loving but that appears to be changing, what do you think was responsible?
I'm not happy; I actually created the impression of being a socialite. Although, I'm very careful about the people I let into my life, I get hurt easily because I'm a very compassionate person, affable and open minded. So, I don't rely on human being because it will amount to vanity .But one thing about me is that I tend to forgive easily, but I won't forget. However, once I strike it good with anybody, I try to maintain it, because money can't buy it. That is what takes me out, if my friend is celebrating, I go, even in times of bereavement, I go there to commiserate them. We have to be there for ourselves. Life is about who you can depend on in good and bad times.

As a man with panache, how can you define style?
You dress the way you wants to be addressed, that's important. The outward appearance is a construction of the inner mind .As someone who has a bit of psychology in him, when you see someone you can know the kind of person, he's. Though not always correct .Style, to me, is the process of self presentation and definition someone's personality. I really don't follow trends. I love to wear things that conform to my status and stature.

You have been spotted in well tailored natives several times. Who is your designer?
 I have a Senegalese tailor in Agege, he is the one who designs for me. Though, he is becoming expensive these days but he is equally very talented.

What lifestyle material do you have a weakness for.
For me, that should be the clothes. Although, it is good to drive a good car and live in a lovely home .Based on my religious inclination, what is important to me is what I eat and wear..Life is vanity. So, I don’t crave for things that won’t add values to my life.

What kind of suits do you prefer?
I love trendy ones. I have the narrow lapel kinds .Most of my suites are conventionally tailored. I also have blazers, which comes in sharp colours for different kinds of events. I'm not a label person, I buy what I like and things that conforms to my style, irrespective of the label. Maybe for causal,I like polo by Ralph Lauren and nothing more.

Wristwatches are part of what makes a man, what kind do you have  preference for?
You are right. Although, I don't own  a Rolex yet .I love swatch watches, they are pretty nice and not very expensive. I love to buy things from Fast Forward shop. I love chronograph watches, I also wear Bvlgari, Rado and I think I have about 7 wristwatches with different  colours. Accuracy of time and durability of  the brand is important.

What kind of Shoes do you wear?
 I love shoes also and I will go for labels like Gucci,Versace,Vivienne Westwood, Loius Vuitton ,Mauri,Roberto Cavalli any time They are durable, I have had some for five years.

Do you have a favourite dish?
My weight does not permit me to eat my favourite dishes anymore . I love bush meat, assorted meat' meat, rice and plantain or amala and gbegiri. I'm now conformed to snails, dry fish, scaly fish, unlike the  catfish that I used to like.

What about drinks?
 I drink modestly. Champagne and Red wine are my favourites. But it depends on my mood.

How do you like to smell
I love the 212 variants, Classic, sexy, VIP, is my favourite..

Favourite shopping spot?
I do most of my shopping in Nigeria because I'm not a regular traveler. But I do a lot of social buying. My wife does most of the shopping, when she travels. It is embarrassing when people see you and inflate the prices of the things you would have bought cheaply because they think you are rich. Some of them think I’m rich but I’m not. Mind you, I ‘m not poor as well.

Where is your preferred hangout?
I hangout at Niteshift Collesium a lot . I'm a Lagos boy and I enjoy Lagos. if I want disco, I know where to go. If its agidigbo, I go to Surulere, Ebutte metta or Lagos Island. In my restaurant,I have many juju musicians who play regularly. If its High-life, I go to Dr Victor Olaiya's place.

What drives you in all that you do .
In all I do, I strive  for an egalitarian society. If I drive infinity jeep, others around me and locality should be able to drive cars too. They should have access to effective public transport system.  People should not keep cars they can’t drive.