A former Chairman of Ado-Ekiti Local Government Area, Hon. Omotunde Fajuyi, has warned that rising economic hardship and declining purchasing power could fuel corruption across Nigeria’s public sector if urgent policy adjustments are not made.
Fajuyi made the assertion on Monday while speaking on Inside Scoop, a current affairs programme on Adamimogo 105.1FM, where she reflected on the country’s democratic journey and the impact of current economic policies on ordinary Nigerians.
The former council chairman said the promise of democracy since the return to civilian rule in 1999 had not translated into the level of development and improved welfare envisioned by the nation’s founding fathers.
According to her, governance should be driven by development and service to the people rather than the pursuit of personal interests, lamenting that many administrations had failed to adequately address the needs of citizens.
She argued that worsening living conditions and the soaring cost of transportation and basic commodities had left many Nigerians poorer than they were before the removal of fuel subsidy.
“We are poorer in the short term. Transportation has skyrocketed and this has affected the prices of almost everything. The ordinary man on the street is not feeling any gains,” she said.
Fajuyi warned that the economic realities confronting workers could lead to a rise in corrupt practices, particularly within the civil and public service.
“Corruption will become more entrenched in all the echelons, especially in the civil and public service sectors. People will want to take more because what they are being paid can no longer meet their needs,” she stated.
While acknowledging President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s role in Nigeria’s pro-democracy struggle, she maintained that the administration had not produced the desired results, blaming some of the President’s associates for poor policy implementation.
She recalled warning before Tinubu assumed office against surrounding himself with “praise singers and ne’er-do-wells,” saying such individuals could derail well-intentioned policies.
The former chairman called on the President to review policies that had imposed hardship on citizens, insisting that governments should not be afraid to retrace their steps when necessary.
“When something is not working, there is always room for review. That’s why a car has a reverse gear. We should properly assess the situation and make changes that will have a positive impact on the people,” she said.
Fajuyi also commended former Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, for overseeing Nigeria’s transition to democratic rule in 1999, describing his decision to hand over power as a selfless service deserving of national appreciation.
