Tunde Braimoh, chairman House Committee on Information, Strategy and Security in the Lagos State House of Assembly, in this interview, spoke on issues affecting the polity.
The All Progressives Congress (APC), made some promises, do you see these being achieved?
Last year, we had issues with budget estimates and the budget could not be passed on time, so we could not achieve much. By and large, most of the things we promised are being rolled out and by the grace of God we shall get there. We hope there will be a faster pace with the early passage of the budget this year.
The promises made are being fulfilled. They are being worked on, being prepared for implementation and execution. I can say that this government has considered everything. That is to show that things are working despite the issue of bureaucracy.
Most of the operatives of the parastatals and MDAs are members of the PDP who were in government for many years. They are partisan and it is affecting this government. I think the government needs to change the heads of these institutions. This will lead to incurring massive cost but the government has to because if you leave the government in wrong hands, they will mismanage the system.
There have disagreements between the executive and the National Assembly over time, is this not worrisome?
You are right that we need to harmonise as a party. Many investors have even complained about the bureaucracy within the system. I appeal to the National Assembly especially the Senate to shun nepotism, to shun grandstanding and to be more patriotic.
People cannot be overstretched to the extent that recession can lead to depression. Those of us leading the people now really have to be careful. We have to feel the pulse of the people. People can wake up one day and wipe all of us out, it can come to that stage, but we pray not. People cannot be expected to endure more than this. We must focus on how we can jointly salvage Nigeria
APC is now waxing stronger in the Peoples Democratic Party) PDP’s strongholds, what does this portend?
The issue is that the people of Nigeria are broadminded. They can take informed decisions. They are with the APC and have confidence in the government of Buhari. It is just implicit confidence.
At the end of the day when things come to what it should be that the people would be happier and better. By the time we achieve what we have promised, the economy will be better and the people will be happy.
Don’t you think the scenario may lead to a one party state?
It cannot lead to one party state. At a point, PDP had 26 states before we stopped the trend. It is not a threat. The PDP definitely is not an option. The people have tried it and it has failed them irredeemably. With the prediction of the World Bank and with the way things are looking, APC will continue to wax stronger.
What is your position on the proposed mega party?
The party can come. I do not know any party that can confront us. Forget the adjectival expressions. What party can be more mega than APC now? Which mega? The mega party is not anywhere. Good luck to them, it does not matter to us.
There is a time for politicking; there is a time for government. We are almost midway in to our term; we want to make our mark. The idea of a mega party is a figment of imagination, when we get to the bridge, we shall cross it. What we are doing now is how to deliver on our promises.
How will the anti-land grabbing law impact on Lagosians?
The incidence of land grabbling has reduced seriously, though we still have pocket of complaints here and there. The law is not mechanical it is just working on its own. There is no doubt that incidence of people using force to take over other people’s land has reduced.
What is the magic behind the cordial relationship between the house and Governor Akinwumi Ambode?
The leadership of the House led by Mudashiru Obasa is very experienced. The speaker is a lawyer and has been in the business of lawmaking since 1999. If one is doing a job for over 15 years, if he is a lecturer, he would have been a professor. If a person has such experience, it is not a joke. His robust experience, his depth of knowledge he has brought to bear on the House and we thank God for that because if you don’t have that kind of benefit, it could be difficult. If you don’t have that kind of experience, it could be different.
He has brought his experience on the progress of the state. Leadership is by example, not by precept. You must know that people are watching you, and we thank God for the caliber of the members of the House because we have quality of members in this legislature.