The 2023 governorship candidate of New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) in Ogun State, Amb. Olufemi Ajadi has said Nigerians deserve dividends of democracy particularly during this present economic hardship.
As the Chairman Correspondents’ Chapel of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Oyo State Council, Raji Adebayo implored politicians, particularly the political office holders from the local government level to the state and the federal levels to deliver on their campaign promises, because this is the only way the dividends of democracy can get to the masses.
Ajadi, who was the 2023 governorship candidate of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) in Ogun state lamented that Nigerian citizens has not been enjoying dividends of democracy from its leaders who are only concern with their own personal gains at the expense of majority of Nigerians.
Speaking at the closing event for the 2023 Press Week of the Correspondent Chapel of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Oyo State Council, Ajadi wonder why government would think the solution to cushion effect of removal of fuel subsidy is to share money, saying the money should be channel towards the growth and progress of the nation.
He stated that there is no way government can identify the poorest of the poor the palliatives is actually meant for without the money been diverted to politicians account.
According to him, “There is no transparency and clarity in activities of the government, for genuine transparency, let all names of beneficiaries from the palliatives be publish on newspaper with their account number before the palliatives is distbursed.”
“Nigerians don’t expect money from the government, what they need is good governance, good road network, stable electricity, let begin to enjoy dividends of democracy by giving Nigerian monthly allowance as a citizen of Nigeria.”
He however urged journalists to practice the ethics of the profession, saying their efforts towards nation building can not be overemphasized.
On the part of Correspondents’s Chapel Chairman, Raji, he said, “I want to use this opportunity to implore our politicians, particularly the political office holders from the local government level to the state and at the federal level to deliver on their campaign promises, because this is the only way the dividends of democracy can get to the masses.
“Again, I will also say, in my own personal opinion, this policy of giving palliatives to the people, is just a political statement which is not really serving the need of the general populace, rather I will prefer that funds that are being made available for palliatives should be channelled towards infrastructural development such as roads, health, education and others that will be of benefits to all irrespective of our status.
“We all need good roads, health facilities, security, education for our children and other social amenities, but palliatives will only ends in the hands of the few party members and political jobbers”.