The Lagos State House of Assembly has called on Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to direct the Commissioner for Information and Strategy to intensify public enlightenment and sensitisation on the ongoing demolition exercises in parts of the State.
The resolution followed a motion moved by Hon. Ogundipe Stephen during plenary on Tuesday, presided over by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa.
The lawmakers also urged residents to exercise restraint and maintain peaceful conduct whenever they seek to protest or express grievances at the Lagos State House of Assembly.
They cautioned against allowing individuals with selfish or ulterior motives to hijack genuine protests and turn them into instruments of disorder.
In a related resolution, the House agreed that a letter of commendation should be sent to the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Moshood Olohundare Jimoh, in recognition of his professionalism and effective management of security situations arising from recent protests.
Contributing to the debate, Hon. Aro Moshood described the misrepresentation of the demolition exercises as unfortunate, stressing that the actions of the state government were lawful and long overdue, having previously been delayed out of compassion and leniency.
Hon. Kehinde Joseph noted that prolonged delays in enforcement had created opportunities for individuals masquerading as human rights activists to exploit the situation for personal gain. He therefore called for a thorough review of the issues surrounding the demolition exercises.
Also speaking, Hon. Tobun Abiodun lamented that genuine protesters had been misled by persons with selfish intentions, resulting in the hijacking of protests and damage to the image of the state.
In his contribution, Hon. Jubril Abdul-Kareem appealed to the state government to increase investment in affordable housing for the less privileged, noting that proactive housing policies would help prevent similar challenges in the future.
