Inclusivity: Sanwo-Olu hasn’t done enough to deepen democracy—IPAC Chair
The Lagos State Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Mr Olusegun Mobolaji, says Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu has not done enough in entrenching inclusive governance to deepen democracy in the state.
Mobolaji, in a statement on Sunday to commemorate his birthday anniversary, said that the governor must do more in extending hands of fellowship to stakeholders of other political parties for the development of the state.
According to him, for governance to achieve its purpose as well as to build a sustainable political and democratic system, governors must not jettison relevant stakeholders, even from other political affiliations.
“With a heartful of joy, I give glory to God on the occasion of my birthday today and for the Grace he has given me to be the Lagos State IPAC Chairman for the term ending this month of December as we prepare for another election.
“Let me use this occasion to call on the state government led by Sanwo-Olu to work with stakeholders, especially IPAC to reach out more to the populace and deepen democracy.
“To be sincere, we have not seen enough working relationship and collaboration between the state government and IPAC per se in running the affairs of the state.
“IPAC has not been allowed to play the advisory role in the affairs of the state. The state government must do more and have a better relationship with IPAC, comprising leadership of other registered political parties,” Mobolaji said.
According to him, the state government is supposed to work hand in hand with IPAC to make democracy thrive and have a political system that is dynamic and robust enough to help system grow.
He said that the inclusive governance had a way of lessen tension in elections, “please let us build a relationship it will help our system”.
The IPAC Chairman, however, appreciated Sanwo-Olu for his sterling performances in transportation, education, health and other areas of the economy, as well as steps to alleviate hardship through provision of palliatives following removal of fuel subsidy.
He added: “This is democracy, the way we play it determines what we get out of it and what type of dividends the people will get for being part of the democratic system.
“I want to call on the state government led by Sanwo-Olu not to be selfish or self- centered politically by identifying with APC party members only, but to serve everybody as citizens to enjoy the benefits of good democracy and political system.
“We expect governance will result in better life for every residents. I am calling on Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu to run an all-inclusive government that carries everybody along rather than a party government.”
According to him, IPAC remains a body put in place to bring all political parties together to have more robust and dynamic political and democratic system that will benefit all.
He said that government needed to come up with more programmes to relieve the suffering masses of their burdens and hardship.
Mobolaji called on Sanwo-Olu to look at the operations of some state actors like the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), Vehicles Inspection Service and other Taskforce,, saying their work seemed not to be good enough in the public assessment.
He said: “That is why the state government need to work with IPAC because we hear and see more being at the grassroots.
“We will be fair enough to tell the government the truth which ruling party members cannot tell the government.
“We want a better Lagos, that is why were are ready to work with the government if only it can extend hand of fellowship and partnership as a stakeholder.
“We are ready. We are waiting for that good relationship. Nobody occupies the position of power for ever so.we must be kind to the people.
Commending the Lagos State APC Chairman, Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi, who he said is being represented at the IPAC level as the Secretary, for support and contribution, Mobolaji said that government must be recommited to open leadership.
Expressing hope that whoever emerged as next IPAC Chairman would take the committee forward and further, said he had done his best to project IPAC.
