Former Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Adeyemi Ikuforiji has said that the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential candidate, Mr. Bola Tinubu signed into law the first self-accounting bill of the state legislature in the country.
This according to him demonstrated Tinubu’s commitment to the principle of separation of powers enshrined in the Constitution.
While addressing members of the Media and Publicity Committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council for Lagos State, via zoom meeting, Ikuforiji explained that Tinubu’s exposure to the democratic values both at national and international levels must have influenced his decision to make such law during his first term as Governor.
Ikuforiji, who was elected from Epe as a member of the Lagos State House of Assembly in 2003 and became speaker for 10 years is however optimistic that the leadership of Bola Tinubu as a President would develop further cohesion among the tiers of government.
“The former Lagos State Governor made it possible for the Lagos House of Assembly to become the envy of other houses due to the autonomy of the House of Assembly and the freedom the House enjoyed during the Tinubu government is unparalleled.
“I am very sure that the Presidency under Tinubu will ensure harmonious relationship with the National Assembly to fastrack socio-economic development of the country.
“You will recall that it was a tug of war then between the former President Olusegun Obasanjo and the National Assembly, whereas the financial autonomy the house enjoyed made it possible for peace to reign supreme in the state.” he said
Ikuforiji mentioned that recent passage of the bill by the National Assembly, compelling state governments to enact the self-accounting laws for their Houses of Assembly shows that Tinubu is a trail blazer and visionary.
Cordial relationship
Former Speaker stressed that during his reigns as the Lagos State Governor, Tinubu established mutual relationship with the State House Assembly, thereby allowing smooth administration to thrive.
He said: “If he wanted to do something that I believe would not fly, I would let him know and because he knows that the development of the House of Assembly as a democratic institution guided me, he would think about it again”
“As the policemen of the system, members of the House performed oversight functions on ministries, departments and agencies without the interference of Governor Tinubu.
“Rather, Tinubu as Governor made it clear to the Commissioners and Permanent secretaries to supply all the necessary information to enable lawmakers perform their oversight functions.”
He described the APC Presidential candidate as a good listener who worked with the legislators to make laws which led to the giant strides of the state.
The Lagos Chairman, APC PCC Media and Publicity Committee, Hon Kehinde Bamgbetan said the session was in the bid to bring back the memory of how the Tinubu led government worked closely with the House of Assembly in the overall benefits of Lagosians.
It was also to showcase what Nigerians will benefit under the Tinubu Presidency in terms of Legislative interventions.
Olusola Akintonde
