The Lagos State House of Assembly convened a plenary session on Thursday, urging Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to take decisive steps to avert a planned nationwide protest.
The lawmakers underscored the importance of engaging with key stakeholders to address the concerns fueling the protest.
The session was marked by a ‘Matter of Urgent Public Importance’ brought forward by Majority Leader Noheem Adams.
Adams highlighted the severe impact of the EndSARS protest of 2020 on Lagos and stressed the need for a preemptive strategy to avoid a repeat of such devastation.
He proposed that Governor Sanwo-Olu organize townhall meetings with major stakeholders to devise ways to pacify the youth and other potential protest supporters.
The House motion outlined two essential meetings: the first between the governor and elected political leaders, including senators, members of the House of Representatives, and state lawmakers.
The second meeting would involve traditional rulers, religious leaders, market heads, transport sector representatives, and other relevant stakeholders.
Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, emphasized the necessity for state governments to take proactive measures to calm tensions and protect lives and property. He noted that Lagos is still recovering from the EndSARS protest’s aftermath and appealed to the youth to exercise patience with the administration of President Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, which is striving to create a better Nigeria for all citizens.
Dr. Obasa drew attention to the current turmoil in Kenya and the crises in Sudan and Syria, noting that such conflicts began similarly. He praised Lagos Commissioner of Police, Adegoke Fayoade, for his efforts in engaging with community heads regarding the planned protest. Obasa called for an urgent meeting with all leaders, including those from religious, traditional, and related organizations, to discuss strategies to dissuade the youth from participating in the protest.
In his motion, Hon. Noheem Adams (Eti-Osa 1) appealed to the public to reconsider the protest, highlighting President Tinubu’s responsiveness to citizens’ concerns, as evidenced by the recent increase in the minimum wage from N30,000 to N70,000.
Hon. Kehinde Joseph expressed concern over the lack of identifiable leaders among the proposed protesters, making dialogue challenging. He urged for patience, reminding everyone that the current issues affect all citizens.
Hon. Sa’ad Olumoh echoed the sentiment, stating that President Tinubu understands Nigeria’s challenges and is taking appropriate steps to prevent the country’s collapse. He encouraged Nigerians to focus on their governors, noting that federal allocations to states have increased under the President’s administration.
Hon. Nureni Ayinde Akinsanya, representing Mushin 1, urged parents to dissuade their wards from participating in the protest or being used for criminal activities.
The Lagos State House of Assembly’s call for dialogue and engagement reflects a broader effort to maintain peace and stability while addressing the genuine concerns of the youth. The proposed meetings aim to provide a platform for constructive discussions that could lead to meaningful solutions, ensuring that the state’s progress is not derailed by unrest.
