Oyo Assembly Advocates Enhanced Security for Media Houses, Assembly Complex

The Oyo State House of Assembly has called for improved and enhanced security around media houses, particularly government-owned radio and television stations across the state, following the recent invasion of the State Secretariat by the Yoruba nation agitators.

The lawmakers also called for installation of surveillance cameras around the state Secretariat, including the House of Assembly, among other measures.

The views were expressed following a motion raised by the Speaker, Adebo Ogundoyin, under matter of urgent public importance, during Tuesday plenary.

The lawmakers condemned, in strong terms, the action of the agitators, while also urging the government not to rule out the possibility of talks and dialogue with the original Yoruba Nation activists so as to have a better understanding of their demands.

The motion, co-sponsored by Hon. Dawood Olarere and four other members of the House, was presented by the leader of the House, Hon. Sanjo Adedoyin, at the floor of the House.

Timely steps

The lawmakers wondered why the agitators targeted Oyo State to commit such a crime, noting that some people might be in the state who are bent on making the state ungovernable for Governor Seyi Makinde and commended the governor and security operatives for taking timely steps to curb the unexpected activities of the agitators.

Deliberating on the matter, lawmakers, including Abiodun Babalola; Dawood Olarere; the Chief Whip of the House, Gbenga Oyekola; Adebayo Babajide, and Olorunpoto Rahman, in their separate reactions, emphasised the need to strengthen the security apparatus of the Agodi State Secretariat, Ibadan.

The lawmakers said the installation of surveillance cameras within the State Secretariat Complex, coupled with provision of more security personnel, will ensure safety at the Assembly Complex and the Secretariat as a whole.

In his view, the Chairman, House Committee on Media, Waheed Akintayo, representing Oluyole State Constituency, said the the situation could have been worse if the agitators had gone to any media house, either radio or television, especially government-owned, to annouce a take-over of power, like it used to be in the millitary days, appealing to the government to, as a matter of urgency, provide better security to media houses to avoid such a situation in the state.

The House, however, urged the Executive Arm to allow for extensive deliberation, talks and dialogue with those who have been identified as genuine Yoruba Nation activists so as to reduce incessant protests and ensure peace in Oyo State, noting that even though Nigerians have certain rights guaranteed by the Constitution, nobody has the right to attempt to overthrow a democratically elected government, as done by the agitators.

Security details

The lawmaker representing Ibadan North II, Babajide Gabriel, in his submission, noted that a similar situation occassioned by the activities of agitators in the Eastern part of the county has led to provision of security details for elected state assembly lawmakers.

He, therefore, urged concerned authorities to consider providing security details for individual members of the State House of Assembly in order to ensure their safety while carrying out their duties as representatives of their various constituencies.

Concluding the deliberation, the Speaker, Adebo Ogundoyin, said the amended resolutions contained in the motion included, among others, an urge on the state government to beef-up security within and around the Secretariat.

It should also provide security details for lawmakers, and engaging the Yoruba Nation agitators on peaceful means of seeking any demands in a democratic setting.

Condemning the invasion of the Secretariat and the failed attempt to overthrow a democratically elected government, the Speaker emphasised the need for urgent beef-up of security apparatus within and around the State Assembly Complex.

Lateefah Ibrahim