Jimi Benson, who represents Ikorodu Constituency in the Federal House of Representatives, told Assistant Editor, Dare Odufowokan, in this interview that the leadership crisis that rocked the Green Chamber was finally resolved not just by the intervention of President Muhammadu Buhari, but also by the high level of maturity and patience exhibited by the lawmakers involved in the tussle.
The leadership crisis in the House of Representatives has suddenly been laid to rest at a time Nigerians least expected. How was such amicable solution achieved?
Let me start by saying that all through the crisis, our leaders left no one in doubt that they are capable of resolving the matter. They were very consistent and committed to peaceful resolution while hammering on party supremacy, loyalty and discipline. And once we were able to put those on track, all issues were easily resolved. What transpired eventually was the triumph of the internal democracy of the House of Representatives and this triumph is also anchored on the intervention of President Muhammadu Buhari.
It is the result of patience, maturity, patriotism, reason and rationality. All these factors were what guided the steps taken by the entire House of Representatives in resolving this issue. And with this triumph of dialogue and reason, members of the 8th House of Representatives have shown that we are matured politicians.
Above all, APC lawmakers have shown that we are firmly committed to the objectives of the party alongside our commitment to national interest. We have exhibited the ability to marry these two all important acts of loyalty and patriotism in the discharge of our duties as federal lawmakers and party men and women.
The opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has consistently said the new APC federal government is either too slow or not working at all. What is your take on this as a federal lawmaker?
It is important for us to first understand that the PDP may not say anything better than what they are currently saying, at least, for now. This is because of how they were massively rejected by Nigerians during the last general election. And the APC and President Buhari are the beneficiary of that rejection; so most of their criticisms should be seen for what they are. However, to say Buhari is not working is untrue. I sincerely don’t see that as a serious criticism of a sitting government.
Rather, I will say this government is extremely focused and systematic. A good look at the style of President Muhammadu Buhari as he goes about restoring good governance, will show you that he knows what he is doing and how to go about them. We cannot expect him to do things hurriedly, especially coming after the manner of administration the country witnessed before May 29, 2015.
Even President Barack Obama of the United State, described Buhari as a man of integrity with a clear agenda during the recent visit to the US. So, what are they saying about him being too slow? I think it is better to go easy and get it right than to rush and compound the problems. The task of putting Nigeria back on track requires patience and concentration, not haste and confusion.
For me, I think I see President Buhari working hard every day in the priority areas of tackling security and corruption, rebooting the economy to provide jobs for our teeming youths and generally to restore good governance. These are the things I see and I want to tell those not seeing these yet to open not just their eyes, but also their minds.
You won with a landslide at the last National Assembly election. Tell us how you achieved that being a new entrant into politics?
The election was quite interesting. Some people thought it was close but the margin was about 25,000 votes difference between me and the next person to me. That can fill up Onikan Stadium. Also, Ikorodu delivered even more votes than we’ve ever done in any election. Ikorodu people believe in President Buhari. They believe in the leadership style of the great Lion of Bourdillon, former Lagos State Governor Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. They have faith in the APC and trust on its representatives. All these, coupled with the fantastic team God assembled for me before, during and after the election, made victory possible.
Some say the name of your uncle; the late TOS Benson also worked for you in this election. How true is this?
A good name will always pave the way. I thank God that I had a great uncle who contributed a lot to Ikorodu and beyond. I also pray to leave a legacy for my own children to tap into. I believe I am hard working and I follow instructions. It all worked for me in the election. Above all, I want to believe my election was the desire of God who saw the yearnings of the good people of Ikorodu and answered our prayers. We worked very hard for that victory. My team, led by Mayor Deen Sanwoola, worked day and night. They left no stone unturned in reaching out to the people and selling my candidacy to them. Ours was a team of selfless volunteers. Professionals, politicians, youths, women, traders, students, community leaders and even business people who wanted change and were prepared to work for it.
Your predecessor, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, to some people did very well while some felt she did not perform well. What will you say is her score card?
Hon. Abike Dabiri did very well. Like I always say, she laid the German floor upon which I want to start building now. For a thing, she is very popular on the floor of the Lower Chamber. When I tell my colleagues at the Assembly I am from Ikorodu, her name comes up. She has been a worthy ambassador of Ikorodu. Back home, I think some people mistake the functions of a legislator for that of the executive. But if you ask me again, I will say she came, she saw and she conquered.
What are your plans towards influencing development projects to your constituents?
In my community, there are lots of roads that are federal roads needing attention. I will make sure I put pressure on them to make sure all these roads are done. There is a federal hospital at Igbogbo area, which has been abandoned for a while. I am going to use my influence to make sure it is fixed.
With the crisis over at the National Assembly, how do you see APC lawmakers relating with one another?
I consider what happened at the National Assembly as part of politics and in spite of the bad blood that was generated during NASS leadership election, we remain one family. If there are still issues to resolve, I believe the caucus of the party and other party organs would meet to see to that.
Crisis is normal in any system and we want to assure everyone that APC has surmounted the crisis and come out stronger and better than it was known before. We are aware that Nigerians are yearning for the change we promised and indeed we shall deliver on our promises.
Ours is a party of disciplined and orderly people and that is why we are able to still resolve the matter the way we did. If this sort of crisis had befallen another party in this country, even the former ruling party, it would have become something else. So, there is nothing to worry about again. Now, it is time to give Nigerians a new nation they can be proud of.
