It is an acceptable norm that a democratically elected government must meet the needs of the people that voted them into power. They enjoy the ultimate sovereignty from the liberty perspective. Since governance derives its backing and support from the constitution and the people. It is mandatory for the same government to listen, carry along and feed back to the people about its activities. The strength of a good government lies in its victory, which comes from the ballot system, and this has a numerical strength, where the highest numbers of votes form a simple majority.
The contrary view of democracy equally says when a government voted into power refuses to perform or meet the yearning or aspiration of the people that democratically voted for them, the same electorates or the people being governed have the right to reject such a government by voting them out of power in subsequent elections. This means that when a government becomes destructive and retrogressive, the same people that empowered them with their votes can abolish or terminate such a government.
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Having said little about what constitutional government is all about. I now need to come back to the main issue, Princess Surah Animashaun; she has, within a short period of time in office, been able to correct the negative view of the people of the local government council towards governance. Yes, democracy is about being responsive to the people that voted you into power. Our amiable chairperson has, within four years of her assumption of office, proved critics wrong by being responsive and progressive in the discharge of her duties to the people of the council.
“Today, the common man is not only happy in Epe but the peace which once eluded the people some years ago has totally returned.”
I remembered the assumption of office, her address to the people of the council, in the presence of traditional rulers, politicians and others. She openly exposed her optimistic attitude towards good governance, promised open policy governance and delivery of all campaign promises, to her words, within a limited time in office, and she swung into action in transforming the local government council.
Though, I was not opportune to be in public sitting in my physical capacity, due to my preoccupation. But, as I stayed glued to my television set listening to the Chairman’s address to the people of the council, I instantly developed an interest in her, who turned out to be the most peaceful, responsible and reliable chairperson ever produced in the history of the Epe division.
In fact, the present chairperson came into power with her reform agenda, managerial potential and regeneration ability to rebuild and recover the lost fortunes of the council. Today, the common man is not only happy in Epe but the peace which once eluded the people some years ago has totally returned. Today the entire Epe division is witnessing a massive reconstruction and rebuilding process or the other. Roads, schools, and health institutions are being structured for lasting use.
Yes, Princess Animashaun has done very well to reposition the economy of the council area. She has further demonstrated the servant role of a government to the people. The Chairman has taken the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) to an enviable and sustainable position, thus deriving some funds to collectively embark on infrastructural development.
Today, the people’s welfare and security are better off. A government is worth protecting and supporting for continuity if it has met the yearning of the people. “A golden fish has no hidden place”, so said the common fact. The people have seen this in the government of the day.
No nation or state survives without major attention to its educational sector. Here in Epe LGA, she has given the primary and post-primary schools very good attention by building/providing some blocks of classrooms, school materials for the pupils, and the provision of first aid boxes for schools within the local government council area. Students now learn in a better and more conducive environment.
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I engaged an old friend who served in the local government of the last regime in a constructive argument. It centres on infrastructure development of the council, which is unprecedented; he asked me where the government of the day is sourcing money from. I was quick to answer by referring him to the present Internal Generated Revenue (IGR) of the council, which the council chairperson judiciously used in putting in place some infrastructural development for residents of the council area.
The people of the council now see what the government is spending the money on. Princess Animashaun has further proved the essence and importance of taxation to rural and urban development through the provision of essential services like good roads, water, health facilities and the rest to the people. If the council would have attained a revolutionary circle, in the area of accelerated transformation and infrastructural development.
In life, you don’t lose a winning team; rather, you encourage them to do more. Princess Surah Animashaun has so far done well. We can only encourage her to do better through mobilisation and support for continuity beyond 2025.
Lanre, a journalist, writer, poet and public affairs analyst. Write in from Epe LG Area of Lagos State. He Can be reached via: aliykhallanre@gmail.com or 08060799328.
