Lagos: The former Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mr Adeyemi Ikuforiji, has urged Nigerians to hold their state governors accountable for improved welfare and infrastructure development at the grassroots. Ikuforiji made the call during an interactive session with newsmen on the economy, politics, and increased allocations to states, among other issues, on Tuesday in Lagos.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Ikuforiji emphasized that the call had become necessary following the increased revenue allocations to states since President Bola Tinubu assumed office in May 2023. He stated that most of the challenges confronting the country would be resolved if funds allocated to local governments were properly utilized based on the genuine needs and yearnings of the people.
Ikuforiji lamented that many Nigerians still focus more on the Federal Government for basic amenities that should ordinarily be provided by state and local governments. He pointed out that state and local governments now receive up to three times more than during the administration of late former President Muhammadu Buhari.
He remarked that if local government areas, which are closest to the people, performed their statutory functions effectively, with the necessary support from the center, citizens would be less concerned about the actions of the President. He emphasized that since charity begins at home, poverty alleviation should start from the grassroots level.
Ikuforiji called for a reorientation among citizens to demand accountability from their state governors on how funds received so far have been utilized. He expressed concern that, unlike in their time when the House could hold Tinubu accountable for allocations, many State Houses of Assembly now shy away from such oversight responsibilities.
Responding to a question on why the President cannot hold governors accountable, Ikuforiji explained that the nature of Nigeria’s political structure gives governors enormous powers, while the 1999 Constitution limits the President’s interference in state affairs.
Speaking on the forthcoming 2027 general elections, the former speaker cautioned against any form of boycott, saying such action would only give politicians the opportunity to have their way unchallenged. He commended the ongoing electoral reforms being proposed by the National Assembly, especially the plan for elections to be conducted early enough to allow all litigations to be concluded before the swearing-in of elected officials.
Ikuforiji also expressed support for the conduct of all general elections on a single day, stating that the approach would save the country significant time and resources. On Nigeria’s debt profile, he said the concern should not be about the debt itself but how the borrowed funds are utilized, noting that no country can fund its annual budget without borrowing for developmental purposes.
He mentioned that international financial institutions will not grant loans to any country whose financial status is doubtful. Ikuforiji stated that President Tinubu is on an economic recovery mission, having inherited what he described as a ‘dilapidated structure’ that requires total reform. He added that although the President is aware of the current hardships faced by Nigerians, he remained optimistic that the ongoing reforms would yield long-term benefits.
Reacting to the recent presidential pardon granted to 175 Nigerians, Ikuforiji said the President should not be blamed for any name on the list, explaining that he only acted on the recommendation of the Committee on the Prerogative of Mercy.
On his political future, Ikuforiji said that God would determine his next move, recalling that in 2002 he had intended to contest for the chairmanship of Epe Local Government but ended up running for, and winning, a seat in the Lagos State House of Assembly instead. He noted that the current speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mr Mudashiru Obasa’s ambition to run for governor in 2027 was not unusual, adding that every qualified citizen has the right to contest for any office in the country.