*Banks on huge democracy dividends as game-changer
*Discusses the importance of GAC in Lagos politics and governance
By Jide Ajani, Normal Editor
Senator Ganiyu Olanrewaju Solomon, popularly generally known as GOS, is a member of the Governance Advisory Council, GAC. On this likelihood interview which ended abruptly attributable to some unexpected circumstances, GOS shared his views on the Bola Tinubu he is aware of, the successes recorded by the federal authorities and the function of GAC (in Lagos) as a suggestions loop. Requested why Tinubu misplaced the 2023 presidential election in Lagos, he merely mentioned : ‘It’ll by no means occur once more’.
Excerpts:
You’ve been quiet for a while. What have you ever been as much as?
We have now larger tasks now. Other than one’s native authorities and our individuals, we’ve additionally been wanting on the scenario within the state. It’s not peculiar to at least one native authorities alone. And after I say we, I exploit it advisedly to signify political leaders and actors who you might not be listening to about however who’re dedicated to the event of our state, because it pertains to the celebration and its good governance. Perhaps informally, we’re additionally anticipated to do some participation nationwide now that we now have President Bola Tinubu on the helm of affairs. No one can say what is going on in another states shouldn’t be our enterprise or it doesn’t concern us. All the things that’s occurring issues us.
Speaking about tasks, I need to imagine that the ‘we’ you referenced, is for members of the Governance Advisory Council, GAC?
Sure!
Some individuals have blended concepts of what GAC actually stands for and what it does. In case you had been to clarify to a layman, how would you situate GAC inside the praxis of governance in Lagos and the dominance of Tinubu?
Nicely, the GAC was established by Bola Tinubu whereas he was in workplace. I can let you know that it was one thing that was well-thought of, as a result of the GAC seems to be at each side of governance within the state. Bola Tinubu began it and since he has been the driving pressure. Folks are inclined to imagine that no matter that’s accomplished there’s accomplished by Asiwaju
However he’s now not the governor, but, you individuals nonetheless search his imprimatur on virtually all the things.
No. As an example, when there’s a problem, you current the problem. All people contributes. There’s no one that received’t contribute if you wish to. So, after the contribution, he asks: what can we do now? If he has an opinion, he voices it. There’s this factor about Asiwaju: if he believes in one thing and other people imagine that factor is not going to work, he wouldn’t hesitate to return on his earlier place and agree with the bulk.
Since his departure as governor, GAC’s major temporary has been to be very helpful and resourceful for our elected officers as a result of we’re nearer to the grassroots
Extra like a suggestions loop?
Precisely.
Shocking! In case you look again on the 2023 presidential election in Lagos, the best way Peter Obi routed Asiwaju within the presidential election, would I not be proper to say it was partly a failure on the a part of GAC members? Out of your understanding, what occurred?
Nicely, fairly a lot of issues occurred. I might say that we’re fortunate that we may make up votes from our supporters in another states. There have been many issues that occurred, however I wouldn’t need to use a robust phrase like failure.
Can we use the phrase ‘loosening of guard’?
You’re only a troublesome particular person. Look, we imagine that what occurred won’t ever occur once more. Quote me, it should by no means occur once more.
You mentioned ‘it should by no means occur once more.’ That comes with a tincture of menace…
(Cuts in) Oh Jide! It’s no menace. We have now plenty of achievements that the current authorities has put into place and it’s being acknowledged virtually each day by even those that didn’t vote for APC as a result of they’re having fun with the fruits of excellent governance and deliverable from us.
I ready for you: The state authorities has accomplished the Lagos Blue Line Rail, launch of Lagos Rice Mill (Imota), which is alleged to be one in every of Africa’s largest built-in rice mills, boosting native meals manufacturing, creating jobs, and lowering imports. Have a look at infrastructure and street building which we name ‘street revolution’ – go to Pen-Cinema space and see the bridge, Oshodi-Abule Egba BRT Hall, community of roads throughout Ikorodu, Epe, Badagry, and so forth. Then, let’s take a look at healthcare and the numerous improve of healthcare infrastructure, together with the opening of New Massey Youngsters’s Hospital (that’s Africa’s largest pediatric facility). What about investments in schooling? Our safety and emergency response mechanisms proceed to avoid wasting lives. The Lagos Ferry Providers (LAGFERRY) has been expanded. Lekki Deep Sea Port is already up and working. We’re additionally empowering our ladies and doing social interventions. Okay, take a look at the reconstruction of the Lagos-Badagry Expressway! From the suggestions we’re getting, even those that didn’t vote for Asiwaju in 2023 are acknowledging what the Lagos state authorities is doing and bettering on. These areas the place these developments are happening have multi-cultural, multi-ethnic and multi-religious residents who’re having fun with the facilities. They’re by their very own confession acknowledging and appreciating the efforts of the federal government. They’re committing to givingus huge help in future elections. That’s the premise of what I mentioned, it should by no means occur once more. Have you ever seemed on the mass mobilisation of celebration members occurring throughout the state and throughout the nation?
Okay o. The President is looking for re-election and one thing unusual is already occurring in Nigeria. Unusual when it comes to the gale of defections by governors, by senators, Rep members, even identified leaders of thought, who many would have thought would stay of their events, they’re all leaping into the APC. Thoughts you, among the experiences of the World Financial institution are signaling hazard forward. Whereas some are complimentary, some are adverse. What’s within the APC? What’s that lure? What’s within the APC that’s making individuals leap into the celebration?
I imagine it’s the actions of the current administration, headed by Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, that’s making them depart their events and be a part of the APC. Allow us to take a look at the political financial system of the states, for example. Most states are incomes cash that they’ve by no means dreamed of.
However the governors are mismanaging the cash?
That’s one other factor solely. However they’re incomes cash that they didn’t even dream of whereas some individuals had been voting Asiwaju.
Asiwaju has accomplished fairly a lot of issues. The coastal street, for example, for those who take a look at the coastal street, some individuals requested why he wished to waste our cash on the coastal street? However the second it began, and so they’ve seen how far he has gone, they purchased into it. No one was muzzled. And he doesn’t say that for those who don’t do it, that is what will occur to you. They’re doing it on their very own accord, and they’re doing it throughout the strata. We additionally even have political leaders in some states preventing over who goes first. That exhibits how nicely he’s perceived and the way nicely he’s doing.
Allow us to talk about Tinubu. You had been speaking about Asiwaju and the GAC and the best way he accommodates a plurality of views and all that…
(Cuts in) I spoke quite a bit about him earlier than the election. So, no matter I’m saying now shouldn’t be as a result of he has develop into the president, that’s how he has been. I’ve mentioned that for each political workplace holder just like the president, you have got your time. So that you reply to your time. What’s the scenario right here and the way do I reply to it? Asiwaju is nearly good for this specific period as a result of he is aware of what the issues are and he’s going through them head-on. Going again in time, as an area authorities chairman once we first got here and he was governor, we had this case of zero allocation plaguing the LGs. He discovered a really artistic method to help us on the LG stage. This was lengthy earlier than the problem of LCDAs got here up. He labored it out for the 20 LGAs at the moment.
And I’ve instructed lots of people that, look, depart Asiwaju, simply allow him to exhibit what he needs to exhibit. I’m certain that by the point he finishes his first tenure, you’ll be asking him to return again for the second tenure. And that’s precisely what is going on. I mentioned this earlier than the elections. That’s precisely what is going on as a result of I do know him inside out.
You might be very optimistic. You might be saying that by the point he finishes his first time period, individuals will say he ought to come for a second time period..
(Cuts in once more) Sure! That’s precisely what I’m saying.
Some individuals are saying they don’t need him for a second time period.
Once more, there’s one thing about politics. We have now some folks that for those who do one of the best for them on this world, they are going to nonetheless say that, no, we don’t need you. So that you don’t count on something optimistic from them.
Let’s take a look at among the issues this man has accomplished: The Tax Invoice was handed into regulation; we now have elevated income; our non-oil exports are rising; no extra printing cash for FAAC and states now not borrow funds to pay salaries. He has created the Livestock Ministry to maintain the problem of herders/farmers clashes. He’s constructing roads – Sokoto–Badagry & different legacy street initiatives which can be on-going. He has lowered our money owed with the IMF. He cleared the backlog of foreign exchange money owed owed. He has created Forest Guards to deal with the problem of insecurity in our forests. He has additionally created six regional growth commissions. I can go on and on however these are those I can rapidly bear in mind.
The put up 2027: Why nobody will beat Tinubu in Lagos again, by Sen. Ganiyu Solomon appeared first on Vanguard News.
