State Governors are among the factors contributing to Nigeria’s various challenges, according to Mathew Urhoghide, Chairman of the Senate Public Account Committee. In an interview in Benin, Urhoghide claimed that the governors’ aspirations to control the presidency, the National Assembly, state assemblies, and local government councils were part of Nigeria’s issues.
Additionally, he stated that the 10th National Assembly would face “institutional memory loss” since many lawmakers with significant experience and knowledge in lawmaking would not return to the assembly, having lost their reelection bids in their respective states. According to Urhoghide, parliamentary knowledge is a repository of knowledge, and lawmakers improve in their legislative duties the more time they spend in the parliament.
In the same interview, Urhoghide responded to pressure to join the governorship race in 2024, saying that his political future is in God’s hands. He stated that if he aspires to become the governor of Edo State in 2024, there would be nothing wrong with it.
Furthermore, Urhoghide claimed that state governors are part of Nigeria’s issues, explaining that they seek to control the presidency, the National Assembly, state assemblies, and local government councils. He believes that they do not understand their responsibilities in democracy, and if judged based on parameters, only a few governors would pass.
Urhoghide emphasized that state development is multi-faceted and not just about the number of roads or bridges constructed. Human capital development and the various sectors of the economic life of the people should also be considered, he added.
Finally, he urged the president-elect, Bola Tinubu, to unify Nigerians as they have never been as divided as they are today.