The former Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Adeyemi Ikuforiji has asked Nigerians to hold their state Governors and local government Chairmen accountable for improved welfare and needed infrastructure development within their domain due to the increased allocation to them since President Bola Tinubu came into office in May 2023.
He also strongly believes that most of the challenges confronting the country will become a thing of the past if funds allocated to the local governments across board are well deployed based on genuine demands and yearning of the people.
The former Speaker who spoke during an interactive session with the media in Lagos said it was unfortunate that most Nigerians focus more on the Federal Government for basic needs that could have been provided for by the state or local government that now receive three times more than during the administration of former President, Muhammad Buhari.
According to him, if the local government areas which is the closest to the people are performing their functions accordingly with various support from the centre, the people will be less bothered about the President.
Adeyemi Ikuforiji explained that since charity begins from home, poverty alleviation should start from the grassroot and suggests the need for reorientation to demand accountability from state Governors and local government Chairmen on how they have utilised the funds received so far.
The former Speaker expressed worry that unlike during their time when they could hold Governor Tinubu accountable on resources allocated, most of the State Houses of Assembly now shy away from such.
On the question why the President cannot also hold the State Governors to account, the former number three citizen of Lagos noted that by the nature of the nation’s politics, the Governors are extra powerful as the 1999 constitution does not allow for undue interference by the President.
Speaking ahead of the conduct of the 2027 general elections, the former Speaker warned against any form of boycott saying such will give politicians the room to have their ways.
He however applauded the ongoing electoral reform proposed by the National Assembly for election to be conducted early in order for all litigations to be concluded before the swearing in.
The former Speaker also declared support for the conduct of the general election on a single day he believes will save the country a lot of resources and time.
On the nation’s debt profile, Ikuforiji was of the view that it is not a challenge but what the money used for should be the concern of the people adding no country can fund the annual budget without seeking for losns for the good of the people.
According to him, the International financial institutions will not give loans to any country if her financial status is in doubt.
The former Speaker declared that President Tinubu is on economic recovery mission for the country having met what he called a dilapidated structure that requires a total reform.
He however noted that the President is not unaware of the challenges the people are facing but optimistic that the ongoing reforms will bring relief to Nigerians in the long run.
Reacting to the recent presidential pardons for 175 Nigerians, the former Speaker said that the President should not be held liable for any name on the list adding he acted on the recommendation sent to him by the Committee on Prerogative of Mercy.
On his political future, Ikuforiji disclosed that God will decide for him just like in 2002 when he had intention to contest for the Chairmanship position in Epe local government but returned home to contest and win a seat in the state House of Assembly.
He concluded saying that the call for the current Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Mudashiru Obasa to run for the Governorship seat in 2027 is not unusual adding he has the right to contest for any office in the country.
