Lagos lawmakers lament insecurity across Nigeria, suggest solutions

The lawmakers urged the Federal Government to be innovative in tackling security challenges.

A member of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Gbolahan Yishawu, on Monday advised the Federal Government to adopt innovative measures in tackling the security challenges facing the country.

Mr. Yishawu (ACN-Eti-Osa I), gave the advice in an interview in Lagos, saying the government needs to find urgent solution to the current insurgency in some parts of the country.

The lawmaker noted that an urgent solution was needed in solving the problem so as to avoid anarchy in the country.

“It is the duty of government and leaders to find innovative ways of solving problems; nobody said it is going to be a tea party. There is a problem and it has to be solved,” he said.

Mr. Yishawu said that the declaration of a state of emergency in the troubled states was also not the solution to the problem but was tantamount to taking over of the government through the back door.

He said that declaration of state of emergency was only to be used when there was no other alternative.

Another lawmaker, Segun Olulade, said that the current situation in the country had further emphasised the need for state police.

Mr. Olulade, who is the Chairman, House Committee on Information, Strategy, Security and Publicity, urged the Federal Government to initiate a process for the creation of state police. According to him, such a police force is necessary to tackle the crisis confronting some states in the northern part of the country.

The lawmaker said that many Lagos residents, who participated in the constitutional amendment process initiated by the National Assembly last year, also supported the creation of state police.

“It is imperative to devote more powers to the state since state and local governments are closer to the people,” he said.

The lawmaker added that a considerable number of political parties, individuals and interest groups had also canvassed true federalism.

He said that only true federalism would give room for performance and encourage effective policies and development of the economy.

Mr. Olulade said the beauty of democracy was such that it gave room for periodical assessment of the quality of service delivery by elected public office holders.

The lawmaker urged member of the public and various stakeholders to corporate with the government in tackling the Boko Haram insurgency currently threatening the country’s peace and security.

(NAN)