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LAGOS Lawmaker, Hon. ADEYEMI ALLI
Hon. Adeyemi Alli is certainly not your run-of-the-mill politician. He is different. He is usually a calm and collected gentleman. A very honest and straight forward personality. He does not like noise. By nature, he is a simple man who prefers to be left alone in his private space to focus on his responsibilities of proposing bills and enacting laws that will be of immense value to his constituents of Mushin 1 federal constituency which he proudly represents.
As a two term serving member of the Federal House House of Representatives, Hon. Adeyemi Alli has remained humble and accessible to his people. He is not arrogant. He has not allowed the perks of his office get into his head. He detests having praise singers and boot lickers hanging all around him. He will tell you he does not need praise singers singing his praise every minute, rather he wishes to monitor how much work has been done in terms of provision of the dividends of democracy to the the good people of Mushin 1 federal constituency and what’s yet to be done.
One of the things the people love about Hon. Adeyemi Alli is the sincerity and honesty with which he relates to them. He will never promise what he won’t be able to give. He does not deceive his constituents neither does he raise their hopes like most politicians do in order to get votes and support. With Honourable Alli, what you see is what you get. And this is why his people don’t joke with him. When they are talking to him, they know they are talking to a man who has the best of their interest at heart.
When the City People Senior Editor, WALE LAWAL (08037209290) visited him in his constituency office in Mushin, we met a man who was so at peace with himself. Though we had to wait a while for his arrival as he had constituency obligations to meet, but the minute he arrived, his office came alive with activities as he began to attend to the dozens of people waiting to see him. And he was prompt with his meetings with elders of the party and community all waiting to see him just so that he won’t keep us waiting longer than we had already waited.
Give it to Honourable Adeyemi, he is a workaholic who never gets tired serving his people. Not many know he recently had a successful surgery on his aching back. And shortly after the operation, when most would’ve gone to recuperate fully outside the country, he is back on his feet, serving his people. He has proven time and time again that the wellbeing of his people in Mushin 1 federal constituency remains priority to him. He also shared with City People a lot of the things he has been able to do for his people in the last one year or thereabout. Enjoy the conversation.
As a first timer few years ago in the Green Chamber of the Federal House of Representatives, how did you adapt quickly to the legislative business of the House?
Thank you. I want you to recall that my present position is not my first political appointment, I went through the ladder to get to this position. If you have ever gone through my profile, you will notice that I have served the party in various capacities. At a point in time, I was the party secretary. Secondly, I have been a public servant since 1999 when I was elected as councilor of my ward “B2’. Eventually, I was elected the leader of the legislative arm of Mushin local government.
In 2003, I was appointed the Execeutive Secretary of Odi-Olowo Ojuwoye Local government Council Development Area by Tinubu’s led administration, upon the creation of additional 37 Local Development Areas in Lagos state.
In 2004, I contested and won the local government election, hence I becamer chairman of the same Local Council Development Area. Don’t forget that I held that office for three consecutive terms through a democratic process. Let me also remind you that I contested for House of Representatives in 2015. You all know the story, but we didn’t lose focus, we didn’t derail from the progressive order, unlike some people, if they are not favoured in their quest for a particular position, they play the anti party game, directly or indirectly. But because I didn’t just find myself in that position, I have adequately prepared for the task. As a former leader of the legislative arm of government, Iam familiar with the legislative arm of government, I have qualitative experience on separation of power.
We have seen your numerous projects and empowerment programmes everywhere within the constituency, what motivates you to go on a project-driven representation?
As I have said earlier, my experience as a public servant of many years aided my aspiration. As a former public servant who has always identified himself with his people, I have a knowledge of what my people want and what we are lacking. To give a quality representation, you must be able to identify the needs of your constituents, and because their needs vary, you should also be able to prioritise their needs. Over and above all these, anytime I look around and I didn’t feel any federal government presence in my constituency, I feel pained. You should try to conduct an honest research on my claim, you will realise that Mushin 1 Federal Constituency has no visible federal or functional federal government projects or institutions. That is too bad for a constituency that is home to prominent personalities such as Brigadier Mobolaji Johnson, the first military governor of Lagos State, Chief FRA Williams SAN, who was the first Nigerian to become a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), former Minister of Local Government and Justice in 1950 and the Executive Governor of Lagos state and former Minister of works and Housing, Alhaji Lateef Kayode Jakande to mention a few.
Legislation is the primary duty of any legislator, what are some of the legislations in form of bills and motions you have contributed to the national development?
Yes, you are correct. Let me further inform you that, beyond the traditional functions, the legislature, especially in a presidential system like ours, undertakes more specialised functions that are not necessarily associated with their core functions. However, the core function of the legislature includes representation, legislating, oversight, deliberation on national issues, budget setting and redressing grievances. In our national Assembly for instance, we have initiated comprehensive mechanism to promote equality and inclusivemness to ensure that the right of Nigerians are adequately protected.
Through appropriation, we have been able to address the national economic challenges, poverty, infrastructural imbalance, waste of resources, revenue leakages, corruption, etc. It is also worthy to note that I have never been found wanting in discharging my responsibilities as my people’s representative in the green chamber. I was the chairman of the House of Representatives delegation to Saudi Arabia in 2029 to investigate a serious allegation of drug trafficking against some Nigerians. After the investigation, the federal government was able to secure the release of Zainab Aliyu who was wrongfully arrested and detained for drug trafficking allegations in 2018.
As an active member of House Committeee on Aviation, I was partt of the fact finding committee to Jordan and Jeddah on the effective management of our international airport in line with international best practices.
Share with us your thoughts about President Bola Ahmed Tinubu
Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has evolved into one of the greatest leaders of our time. You know I have been privileged to study him from close quarters. I have known him from my early days in politics when he was governor of Lagos State. He is somebody who supported me and encouraged me very greatly. And I can tell you he is a great man. A unique leader. Asiwaju believes that leadership is not about controlling others, it is about serving them. He believes that leadership is not about gaining power over people, it is about empowering people. Leadership is about hunting for talent, discovering their potentials and using them judiciously for the good of the nation. These and more are what our President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu epitomises.
What more can we add to Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s brilliant quality other than to say fate, providence, unequal vision, hardwork, focus and most importantly, the grace of God, has placed the Jagaban on the pedestal that he is today, occupying the highest office in the land as the president and Commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces.
Asiwaju is the vanguard of our renewed hope. He had envisioned true federalism, envisaged resource control and consistently demanded for the rule of law and advocated for good governance.
But a lot of people think he is overwhelmed by the humongous challenges of governing a massive nation like Nigeria….
No, he is not. Yes, the challenges are enormous but I tell you, he is the man for the job. Out of all the other candidates of the opposition parties hoping to take his plce come 2027, none of them has more experience and capacity to navigate the ship of the country and take us to economic prosperity like Tinubu. He knows exactly what he’s doing. His economic policies are on point and will soon begin to yield dividends.
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