DAYO AYEYEMI and SEGUN KASALI capture the pains and gains of democratic rule in Lagos after 22 uninterrupted years.
In a state of about 22 million residents, 22 years of uninterrupted democratic rule must be significant beyond the coincidence of numbers. Rated as the richest, most economically viable, most prosperous, most enlightened and a mini-Nigeria, only those who know the way in which Lagos operates can talk about it.
Mr Shola Oshin, a resident who practises his law profession in the state, has both kind words and warning for those controlling the levers of power in the state.
He said, “Lagos is a microcosm of Nigeria. The function of free will cannot be taken away from the democratic process and that is obtainable in Lagos State. The democratic process in Lagos State has metamorphosed into simple transmission of power. Development has not been stagnant. We have seen development response to social needs. Look at the laws such as the Land Use Act and Child Rights Act.”
He isn’t without worries about the future of civil rule in the state.
He said: “Looking at the pains, I would only single out the fact that the state is a one-party state but the fact remains that the gains of the democratic process in Lagos outweigh the pains.
“There should be more level playing ground for all and sundry regardless of party affiliation. The government should also make policies that will be all-inclusive. Let the opposition thrive because it is true test of democracy.”
For Chief Olusegun Bamgbade, chairman of HOB Estates, it has been a story of mixed fortune so far.
Speaking of the gains, he said: “The last 22 years of democracy in Lagos State has exposed a lot about governance. Firstly, it has shown that all things are achievable by any willing government. Senator Bola Tinubu was able to rejig the apparatus of governance when the monthly local government allocations were wrongly withheld by the Federal Government. It has shown that Lagos State is buoyant and self-sustaining with or without the support of the Federal Government.
“It has shown that a willing people cannot be suppressed by any might or force. It has shown that if governors can look inwards, all states are naturally endowed. It has shown that the population and a focused-leadership are the determinants of the prosperity of a state.”
Then he punched: “However, it has clearly shown that Lagos State is deficient in logical application of resources. Imagine the rail line Tinubu started over 20 years ago with borrowed funds. The state is paying back the borrowed funds that have failed to have any impact in the lives of Lagosians. For the entire four years of Ambode, nothing feasible was done on the rail construction, yet Lagos State was repaying back the borrowed funds. Where is the logic? The followers in Lagos State are too docile and sycophantic to ask logical their leaders questions for fear of losing political patronage.”
On what should be done differently, the businessman said: “Going forward, the government should be truly open. Everything is too opaque. The accounts of the state should be open to public scrutiny to engender probity and good governance. The state House of Assembly membership qualification should be upgraded to a minimum of first degree or its equivalence. The social contributions of prospective House of Assembly members should be checked before allowing them to stand elections.
“The inner roads in every local council development area should be looked into. Ten kilometres of Lagos inner roads in every LCDA should be constructed every year. Some areas are indeed slums while others are heavens inside the same Lagos State.”
‘Lagos setting the pace but…’
Dr Benjamin Olowojebutu, chairman, Lagos State chapter of the University of Lagos Alumni, called for the creation of a think tank to help in preparing the future for the state.
He commended those who have steered the ship so far: “The return to democratic era in Nigeria has some significant effects on Lagos State. As the senior prefect of other states in Nigeria, Lagos under the piloting skills and administrative prowess of His Excellency, former Governor of Lagos State, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has creatively harnessed potential and played the card of necessity, which is the mother of invention, when the Local Council Development Authority (LCDAs) he created were starved of fund during the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo. This, among other challenges, necessitated the innovative injection of internally-generated revenue drive infrastructural development for Lagos State. It was a trying period but the sacrifices yielded results. Ministries were creatively engaged and a fantastic team spirit played out.”
Situating the place of the state in the country, Olowojebutu said: “Lagos State has a reputation for political, cultural and economic strength in Nigeria. The state is mirrored as the image brand of Nigeria. A state of aquatic splendor. A centre of excellence par excellence. Beyond any hyperbolic expressions, it is a state divinely blessed with the sea, airport and natural endowments that make its uniqueness a subject of attraction for innovation and development.
“In this regard, democracy in the last 22 years has been confronted with gains and pains. It has metamorphosed in terms of innovation into the mother of all custodians of the direction of commerce and corporate engagements in Nigeria. Head offices of several organisations are boosters of the industrialisation of Lagos. The democratic gains in Lagos State have manifested in evidential dividends of democracy although not completely without some challenges.”
He also has a list of gains which he believes the state can showcase: “Lagos State, in the last 22 years, has witnessed fantastic autonomy of the three arms of government. The issue of rubber stamp is an illusion. The autonomy of the legislative and judicial arms of government in Lagos State has been uncompromisingly admirable. The House of Assembly is peopled by the intelligentsia and the judicial arm peopled by oracles of law.
“The innovation of the Bus Rapid Transport (BRT) for Lagosian to ease transportation has been amazing. It has also generated employment and this has been significantly remarkable to the success of revenue generating indices for the Lagos State government. This is deeply rooted in road construction. Road construction has been one of the dividends of democracy in Lagos State.”
Worsening extortion
Though Dr Olowojebutu is mostly full of praises for the leaders of the state in the last 22 years, his subtle rebuke is stinging enough: “One of the challenges of this beautiful state has been the issue of youth restiveness and unemployable youths. This became more pronounced during the EndSARS agitation. Properties worth millions of naira were destroyed. People lost loved ones and property. One of the recommendations for a better Lagos State is investment in data capturing of residents and residence. This will help control insecurity. The activities of the NURTW, especially ticketing, must be addressed. The level of extortion is increasingly embarrassing.
“The state should invest in voter education to produce mental infrastructure for good governance. The state should also set a standard of scale of preference for project implementation.”
Think tank needed
“One of the gains of democracy in Lagos State has been an impressive security arrangement. The Lagos State of our dream needs a think tank as part of the administration trade secret. Ideas rule the world. Invest more in education and vocational training schools. A regular family meeting with stakeholders, teachers, students union bodies, even opposition party chieftains, security personnel and good proposals should be prioritised by the government.
“The governor needs to connect the town and gown. The government and the governed must have a connecting spirit. Poor power supply and estimated billing are making Lagosians suffering and smiling. Stable power supply is important. Nonsensical, crazy billing should be stopped,” Olowojebutu added.
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