Obasa, Agege leaders reject protest

Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly Mudashiru Obasa, and community leaders in the Agege area have emphasized the need for unity, resilience and patience ahead of tomorrow’s nationwide protest.

The leaders, who met with various youth groups in the area, reminded them that President Bola Tinubu is working to resolve the challenges facing Nigeria.

Obasa noted that Agege is a special part of Lagos where residents have experienced democratic dividends, especially in the area of infrastructure which has boosted businesses.

The Speaker urged the leaders to advise and plead with their children and other residents against engaging in activities that could incite violence in the state.

He said: “We are enjoying the dividends of democracy in Agege especially, and our governor is trying for us. There are lots of developmental projects ongoing in Agege. If the government is doing all these, why would any of us want to be combative against the government?

“The world is just coming out of COVID-19 and there are global crises and wars. So it is not just about Nigeria. If you go to Sudan, close to us here, landlords have forgone their homes. Libya was once like a European country, but go there today. We all need to be patient.

“Our pastors and Imams here should preach peace, unity and patience always, especially at this time.

“Inflation is a general issue, it is not isolated. The president is seriously working on it. He is just one year in office and this is too short to resolve all the problems.”

Member of the House of Representatives Wale Ahmed emphasised the unity in Agege while expressing hope that the youths would not be part of the protest ‘that has a tendency to escalate into violence’.

“Even if those participating in the protest try to provoke you, just ignore,” he told the gathering.

Chairmen of the two local government councils in the area, Ganiyu Egunjobi and Johnson Babatunde, reiterated the need for residents to protect public infrastructure, saying this can be done with their non-participation in the protest.

The Alaige of Agege, Oba Ambaliu Agbedeyi, who spoke on behalf of traditional rulers, said Agege is lucky to have good political leaders who have the interests of the residents at heart.

He prayed against any evil plots against their domains.