- Make only laws that preserve peaceful co-existence, he advises
The Speaker of Lagos State House of Assembly, Mr. Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa’s acceptance speech has continued to raise dust with prominent Nigerians lambasting him on his stance to employ “all legislative instruments” to favour indigenes against people of other tribes living in Lagos. Recently on the pack is Most Rev. (Dr.) Alfred Adewale Martins, Archbishop of the Metropolitan See of Lagos, who described the statement as discriminatory and unacceptable. Obasa’s alleged acceptance statement on third term emergence as the Speaker of Lagos State House of Assembly reads in part, “We also aim at achieving our collective goals of creating a robust legislative framework that protects the interest of our people. Going forward in this wise, we are going to employ all legislative instruments for the support of the indigenes of Lagos,”. He stated further that, “There would be laws and resolutions in the areas of economy and commerce, property and titles, and we will reverse all that are reversible to protect the interest of the indigenes.” Most Rev. Alfred Adewale Martins displeased at this statement credited to the Speaker urged the Lagos State House of Assembly to desist from legislative biases and discrimination but rather enact only laws that are for common good and in the interest of all the residents of Lagos State. In a statement issued recently by Very Rev. Fr. Anthony Godonu, Director of Social Communications, the prelate urged the state legislators to be circumspect in carrying out their legislative duties so as to maintain the peace and good neighbourliness that has characterised the state.
Archbishop Martins said, “In the light of the tension and clear divide between indigenes and people of other tribes living in Lagos that were created by threats, words, and actions of people from all sides during the last elections, the statement credited to the Speaker does not seek to calm situations and heal the wounds that were inflicted in that period. While we cannot wish away the fact that Lagos State has its own original indigenes, we cannot also wish away the fact that most of those who live, work and are indeed part of the government of the state were originally from elsewhere and everyone needs to be protected.” He described as very unfortunate and unacceptable any legislation that discriminates against people of other tribes with whom the Lagos indigenes have lived together in peace for decades. The prelate further stated, “No one destroys what he loves; if the State legislators love Lagos State, they would make only laws that will help to preserve, enhance and ensure the sustenance of peaceful co-existence in the State. We therefore admonish the Lagos State House of Assembly to tread with caution in making laws so that they pass only laws that mean well for the state and would not be used as instruments of bigotry and ethnic discrimination. No doubt, the LAHA has a very important role to play in our democratic processes, but this role must be played with fairness and justice to all Nigerians living in the State. This is the time for healing the hurts that came from the 2023 general elections, and we must all work together for the good of our state and Nigeria at large.”
