‘Rams, goats are not democratic dividends,’ PDP chief Fatola slams federal lawmakers, promises unemployment benefits

​Ahead of the upcoming legislative elections, a prominent chieftain of the People’s Democratic Party in Oyo State, Honorable Samson Okwemi Fatola, has launched a scathing attack on sitting members of the National Assembly, declaring that the era of using seasonal handouts to manipulate grassroots voters is over.

​Speaking on a current affairs program, The Polyscope, on Dominion Television, Fatola, an aspirant for the Ibadan Northwest/Southwest Federal Constituency, criticized the prevailing political culture where federal representatives abandon their core legislative duties, only to return during festive periods to distribute livestock and food items.

​The PDP chief described these gestures as insulting, temporary relief measures that impact less than three percent of the population, mostly restricted to political cronies, while failing to address systemic poverty and infrastructural deficits within the constituency.

​He noted that representation goes beyond occupying political offices, emphasizing that it must be measured by visibility, acceptability, empowerment, and structural growth. He stated that citizens are increasingly demanding accountability and tangible development from those entrusted with their mandates ahead of the next electoral cycle.

​According to him, it goes beyond going to the House and coming back every Ramadan to give constituents rams and goats because such actions do not impact their lives. He added that the country cannot continue on this trajectory as the people are no longer satisfied with rhetoric alone and are actively demanding measurable impact.

​To bridge this governance gap, Fatola revealed that he has already drafted 121 bills ready for presentation on the floor of the House of Representatives, insisting he is not entering the legislative race to scramble for ideas.

​Chief among his legislative blueprints is a social security framework designed to rescue unemployed graduates who are left stranded after completing the mandatory National Youth Service Corps scheme. He promised to sponsor a bill that mandates the payment of temporary unemployment benefits from the government until the youth can secure gainful employment.

​Expressing concern over the future of the nation, the PDP stalwart warned that Nigeria is sitting on a keg of gunpowder due to the systemic neglect of its youth population, which constitutes over 60 percent of the citizens.

​He lamented how brilliant minds are being destroyed by drug abuse, singling out notorious flashpoints within his constituency, such as the popular Moby area. Fatola vowed to use federal oversight functions to reclaim these red zones and convert them into standard rehabilitation and youth empowerment centers.

​Beyond youth welfare, the grassroots politician promised to introduce a Workman Compensation Act to ensure that local artisans, bricklayers, and carpenters are legally and financially insulated by insurance if they suffer catastrophic accidents while working on government contract sites.

​Promising a complete departure from standard norms, Fatola stated that his tenure would institutionalize an all-inclusive governance model, anchored on mandatory town hall meetings every three months to ensure direct accountability to the people of Ibadan Northwest/Southwest, irrespective of their political affiliations.