#EndSARS protests: It’s time to embrace peace, protect public assets, Rep. tells stakeholders
Razaq Bamidele
A member of the House of Representatives, representing Lagos Mainland Federal Constituency, in Abuja, Hon. Jide Jimoh, has appealed to the youths and other stakeholders in his constituency to maintain the peace and protect Lagos State Assets aftermath of the crises occasioned by the #EndSARS protests.
Hon. Jimoh, made the plea at a high powered stakeholders meeting with the youths, community, traditional and religious leaders in Yaba Local Council Secretariat, in Lagos.
Speaking, the lawmaker admitted that protest is legitimate and indeed considered an integral part of democratic value but warned that the right to protest must not be allowed to infringe on the right of others or to endanger the lives and properties of other citizens.
Jimoh however expressed displeasure over the way the current protest has unfortunately metamorphosed into chaos in his constituency and the entire Lagos State, saying, “if truly, you are a Lagosian, you will feel bad on what happened. Hoodlums have wreck complete havoc on the entire Lagos, Yoruba Race and Nigeria as a whole!”
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He also commended the police for prompt action to defend Lagosians, despite the violent attack on them.
“I condemn the invasion of the Oba of Lagos Palace. If you see the havoc done in his palace, you will weep. We should thank God for saving his life in that process, and it is God that made that possible.
“I really sympathise with the governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Lagosians and our National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu because they have laboured hard for the development of this state and Nigeria. The destruction of Lagos assets caused us to weep,” Jimoh lamented.
On the New BRT Terminal and Buses destroyed, the lawmaker said, “the government’s promise that a certain percentage of the staff will be from Lagos Mainland is regretably not possible again due to the total destruction of the terminal.
“We don’t know the implication of what has happened in Lagos. How can we get one trillion naira to rebuild the place now? To get employment and other things for youths is now a big problem.
“These hoodlums must be identified, and the communities know them, but they will not voice out. Arms and ammunition are everywhere now. If you think when Jide Jimoh is going they will challenge him, don’t be surprised that any other persons will be challenged by these boys too on the Lagos roads.
“If you don’t know, everyone is now in the hand of the criminals in Lagos. If you do not want police now, you will prefer thugs.For me, I will never build or encourage thuggery, and I am not a friend to any and I will not pray to use any of them.
“Let’s go back home and talk to our youths to always protect public assets. I commend Iwaya Community for defending their community when hoodlums planned an attack. If youths and the entire community stood up to them, all the destructions we experienced wouldn’t have happened in Lagos,” Jimoh submitted.
He added that youths should continue to support the Lagos State government as the process of rebuilding begins, appealing to them to embrace dialogue in addressing any grievances, discourage destruction of public assets and protect their community against any attack by the hoodlums.
At the meeting were, Hon. Olawale Oshun, Opeluwa of Lagos, Chief Lateef Aderibigbe Ajose, Eletu of Otto and Mainland; Chief Pedro, Otunba Tayo Oyemade, Pa Soyode, former lawmaker; Hon. Oladele Adekanye, Mrs Nike Jones, Chairmen of Yaba and Mainland Local Governments; Omolola Essien, Kayode Omiyale and Sarki Hausawa among others.
