The Lagos State House of Assembly has urged protesters to express their grievances peacefully, warning against the activities of violent elements and fifth columnists who may seek to hijack legitimate protests to foment unrest.
The House also called on the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Gbenga Omotosho, to intensify public enlightenment on ongoing demolition exercises across the state to curb misinformation and enhance public understanding of government actions.
The resolutions followed a motion raised under Matters of Urgent Public Importance by the member representing Oshodi-Isolo Constituency I, Mr. Stephen Ogundipe Olukayode, during plenary at the Assembly chamber.
Presenting the motion, Mr. Ogundipe expressed concern over what he described as a surge in misleading publications and commentaries, particularly regarding developments in the Makoko area.
He noted that such reports were often laden with inaccuracies, distortions, and unverified allegations capable of misleading the public and heightening tensions against the Lagos State Government.
He stressed the need to restate the legislative position of the House, clarifying that issues relating to infrastructure safety, power-line setbacks, environmental control, and demolitions fall strictly within the responsibilities of the executive arm of government and its relevant regulatory agencies.
The lawmaker reaffirmed the Assembly’s commitment to peaceful civic engagement, the protection of democratic rights, and orderly dialogue as the only sustainable means of resolving disputes.
Following deliberations, the House called on the Lagos State Governor, through the Commissioner for Information, to ensure adequate public sensitisation on demolition activities across the state in the interest of clarity and transparency.
Lawmakers also urged aggrieved members of the public to remain vigilant and avoid allowing mischief-makers to exploit their genuine concerns.
Meanwhile, the Assembly has called on the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) to strengthen security measures to ensure the safety of corps members nationwide.
The call was made during plenary in reaction to the reported kidnapping of a 2024 Batch C1 female corps member, Ms. Binuyo Lateefah, along the Enugu–Kogi road in Kogi State.
The lawmaker representing Lagos Island Constituency I, Mrs. Omolara Olumegbon, described the incident as devastating for parents and families, and appealed for collaboration between the House and the state government to facilitate the swift release of the abducted corps member.
In his remarks, the Speaker of the House, Chief Mudashiru Obasa, urged the NYSC Director-General to reinforce existing security arrangements to reassure parents and guardians of corps members deployed across the country.
Written by Olusegun Haastrup