- Ikuforiji urges citizens to demand accountability from governors and local government leaders.
- Commends President Tinubu’s reforms as a necessary foundation for national recovery.
- Supports single-day elections and early dispute resolution to strengthen democracy.
Former Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adeyemi Ikuforiji, has urged Nigerians to shift their focus from the Federal Government and begin holding state governors accountable for the welfare and infrastructural development of their respective states.
Eko Hot Blog reports that Ikuforiji made this known during an interactive session with journalists in Lagos, stressing that with the increased federal allocations to states and local governments since President Bola Ahmed Tinubu assumed office in May 2023, there is no justification for the absence of visible development at the grassroots.
He argued that many of the challenges confronting the nation could be drastically reduced if local governments — being the closest tier of governance to the people — effectively utilized the resources available to them in meeting genuine community needs.
“It is high time Nigerians began to ask their governors how the increased allocations are being spent. Charity begins at home, and poverty alleviation must start from the grassroots,” the former Speaker said.
Ikuforiji lamented that most state assemblies have become passive in their oversight responsibilities, unlike in the past when the Lagos State House of Assembly could boldly question then-Governor Tinubu on resource management.
Explaining why the President cannot directly sanction governors, Ikuforiji noted that the Nigerian constitution grants governors significant autonomy, limiting presidential interference in state affairs.
He, however, cautioned against the growing trend of politicizing governance at the grassroots, adding that effective local administration remains crucial to national stability and inclusive development.
Speaking on the 2027 general elections, Ikuforiji advised Nigerians against any form of boycott, saying such actions would only give room for manipulation.
He commended the National Assembly for initiating electoral reforms aimed at ensuring early conduct of elections and timely resolution of disputes before swearing-in ceremonies.
He also threw his weight behind the proposal to hold all elections on the same day, describing it as cost-effective and time-saving.
Commenting on Nigeria’s debt situation, the former lawmaker dismissed public concerns about borrowing, noting that loans are not the issue but how effectively they are utilized.
“No nation funds its budget without borrowing. What matters is ensuring that borrowed funds are used for projects that benefit the people,” he stated.
Ikuforiji commended President Tinubu’s bold economic recovery agenda, describing his administration’s reforms as timely interventions necessary to rebuild a weak and overstretched system inherited from previous administrations.
He expressed optimism that the ongoing reforms would yield long-term gains for Nigerians.
On the recent presidential pardon of 175 Nigerians, he explained that the President acted based on the recommendations of the Committee on the Prerogative of Mercy and should not be blamed for individual inclusions on the list.
When asked about his political future, Ikuforiji said his next move would be guided by divine direction, recalling how God led him to contest for the Lagos State House of Assembly in 2002 instead of the Epe Local Government chairmanship, a decision that marked the beginning of his political journey.
He also commented on the growing calls for the current Speaker of the Lagos Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, to run for governor in 2027, saying it was not unusual. “Every Nigerian has the right to aspire for any position. Speaker Obasa is no exception,” he said.
