Honorable Jude Emeka Idimogu is a lawmaker representing Oshodi-Isolo constituency II in the Lagos State House of Assembly and Chairman House Committee on Wealth Creation. The two-term legislator and trained accountant in this interview with Anthonia Duru speaks on issues bothering on politics, passion for service and plans for his constituents.
What will you be doing differently in this political dispensation?
I created jobs for the people in my constituency, and I have been able to fix over 20 others into the service of Lagos State Government. I gave out about 17 minibuses as a means of empowerment. We also give out scholarships often to empower our constituents. By the grace of God, I will always represent their interest and I am going to improve on what I did during my first term in office as I am better experienced now. I will continue to be their voice.
What was your attraction to politics?
My attraction is service to humanity. Before I joined partisan politics, I graded a road in my community, then I was the vice chairman of my community Development Association (CDA). Long before then I was always serving to the best of my ability, this singular action endeared people to me because I am always ready to serve people.
What are some of the factors that contributed to your political attainments?
My wife, a princess from Yorubaland also played great role in my political feat. I go about with her to campaigns and this endeared many electorates to me. I operate an open door policy hence my people have access to me without any restriction. I try as much as I can to give them listening ears whenever they come around. Your constituency is one of the communities in Lagos with very bad roads.
What effort are you making in bringing government’s attention to your constituency in the regard?
The roads are really very bad in my constituency just like it is in other parts of Lagos and I think that is why the governor declared a state of emergency on roads with zero tolerance for potholes. The rain has also not helped matters and the previous government after losing the primary election didn’t show concern. Indirectly, the government wasn’t functioning again and accumulation of those decays are what we are experiencing now. At times I ask myself how the present government will cope. My take is that we should not construct new roads rather we should maintain the old roads and make them motorable. We have roads but the roads are bad as you have stated especially inner roads. We are supporting the State government in ensuring that roads are motorable. Hopefully in a couple of weeks, our roads will wear new look.
How far do you see yourself going in politics?
As far as God permits. I am enjoying it because I love serving others. If you really want to enjoy politics, you have to be selfless and don’t see it as an opportunity to amass wealth to yourself but you must be always ready to serve with the whole of your ability. Political office for me is a great call to serve and I am serving my constituents diligently.
Many Nigerians are calling for the slashing of lawmakers remuneration due to the high level of poverty in the land.
As a lawmaker, what is your take on this?
Our offices are constitutional and before any change can be effected, there will be an amendment of the constitution. It has been like this since 1999 and people weren’t complaining then but the complains are more now because our revenues have been dwindling. Governance is very large hence it is very expensive. Don’t forget that from the little I earn; I also pay people like my aides and workers. It’s unfortunate that there is huge mistrust between leadership and followership in Nigeria. It’s important that we at the helm of affairs should let the governed know that we are truly there for their interest. Some Nigerians are groaning as a result of closure of some land borders.
What is your take on this act by the Federal Government?
I think government should have a second look at it because even though we want to promote our indigenous goods so we can be food independent, it can’t happen overnight. So many people are out of business and don’t forget no country is an island.
How will we feel if other countries also close their borders against us?
People at borders should ensure that legitimate goods and services get into the country. The border closure was done without planning hence the untold hardship, Nigerians were taken by surprise with the closure of borders.
