Ambassador Olufemi Ajadi, the 2023 governorship candidate of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) in Ogun State, has expressed his belief that Nigerians deserve to benefit from the dividends of democracy, especially during the current economic difficulties. He criticized the leaders of the country for prioritizing personal gain over the welfare of the majority of Nigerians.
Speaking at the closing event of the 2023 Press Week organized by the Correspondent Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Oyo State, Ajadi questioned the government’s logic in distributing money as a solution to mitigate the impact of fuel subsidy removal. He argued that the money should be invested in the nation’s growth and progress.
Ajadi emphasized that it is impossible for the government to accurately identify the poorest individuals that should receive the palliatives without the funds being redirected to politicians’ accounts. He called for transparency in government activities and proposed that the names and bank account details of the palliative beneficiaries should be published in newspapers before distribution.
According to Ajadi, Nigerians do not expect monetary handouts from the government; instead, they desire good governance, well-maintained roads, and reliable electricity. He suggested that the government should provide a monthly allowance to Nigerian citizens, allowing them to genuinely benefit from the dividends of democracy.
Ajadi also encouraged journalists to adhere to the ethical standards of their profession, emphasizing the importance of their contributions to nation-building.