The Lagos State House of Assembly on Tuesday called on the federal government to engage agitators across the country rather than employ the use of force.
Naija News reports that the Speaker of the House, Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, made the call during the debate on a motion about the 22 years of unbroken democracy in Nigeria raised by Hon. Setonji David.
Obasa argued that the use of the military in an attempt to quell agitations for secession would not yield the desired result since it is part of democracy for a people to speak out concerning how they are governed.
The Speaker, who noted that the 22 years of unbroken democracy being enjoyed by Nigeria is worthy of celebration, however, said there many things yet to be done after so long adding that these had led to the tension in the country.
He commended President Muhammadu Buhari for signing an executive order granting autonomy to state legislatures and judiciary and for honouring the late MKO Abiola with the declaration of June 12 as democracy day.
Obasa said: “It is not about electing us alone. Those that elected us also have freedom, they have the right to protest where they think things are not working.
“The right to protest should not be taken away from them as long as such right is not taken for granted.
“There is no crime in seeking for separate nations within an existing nation.”
“For the southern governors, having stated their position, they should not go to sleep. They should follow it through,” he urged.
Concerning the issues of insecurity, the Speaker said: “We will continue to cry that we have state police and devolution of power.”
While describing restructuring as part of the solutions and not a problem, Obasa said it would have addressed economic challenges and poverty level.
He praised Lagos as the true example of democracy and promised that the state would continue to lead in this area.
The Lagos Assembly called on the National Assembly to ensure true federalism while it urged Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and the government to engage in enlightenment of the people on security consciousness.
This article was originally published on Nigeria News