Party owns government, says Fashola

A former governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN), highlighted on Friday the crucial role of the political party in ensuring good governance, saying the government belongs to the party.

Fashola said this in an interview with newsmen at the Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, in Lagos.

He spoke on the sidelines of the 18th edition of the Lagos State Executive/Legislative Parley, with the theme ” Engaging All for Inclusive Governance: Hands on for a Greater Lagos Rising.”.

The programme also attracted some party leaders in the state.

Fashola said that such gatherings, apart from enhancing executive-legislature relationships, were important in bringing the party up to speed with the goings on in government.

“For this kind of team building, it’s very critical, and it also helps to bring the party into the play because, at the end of the day, it’s the party that owns the government.

“All the politicians must belong to one party, in Nigeria, at least; they campaign on the manifesto of the party.

“If you like, this is a fact-checking exercise or something similar, where the party is conscious of or made aware of what the government is doing, what its elected officials are doing, or what they are planning to do for the people on whose behalf they hold authority,” he said.

Fashola said that elected leaders could not operate in isolation.

The former Minister for Works said that team building and seamless communication were crucial for the development of democracy.

“This kind of team building is very important; these kinds of interactions help to demystify each other before each other.

In enhancing executive/legislature relations, Fashola said such gatherings help to break down prejudices and barriers that are preconceived.

Fashola called on the government to utilise all layers of society in reaching out to the people to reduce the hardship on the land.

“All layers of government must be exploited and utilised in reaching the people. We must all put our hands around the shoulders of others,” he said.

Fashola said that, speaking as a resident, he also expected citizens who were able to be their brother’s keepers in such tough times.

“Some are more blessed than others. We must be our brother’s keeper beyond the month of Ramadan, where we share.

”It must be a way of life now, so that the burden is not too difficult for others to bear,” he said.