Anayo Ezugwu 
The Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, political and religious leaders in Agege have urged residents, especially youths not to join the anticipated nationwide protest.
Speaking at meetings with religious and traditional leaders, heads of markets, civil society groups, artisans and community development associations, Obasa emphasised the need for unity, resilience and patience.
He said 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 noted that President Bola Tinubu is working to resolve the challenges facing Nigeria. He urged the leaders to advise and plead with their children and other residents against engaging in any activity that could incite violence in the state.
Obasa said: “We are enjoying the dividends of democracy in Agege especially and our governor is trying for us. There are a lot 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, go there today. We all need to be patient.
“Our pastors and Imams here, we should teach messages of peace, unity and patience every time we preach 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.”
On his part, a member of the House of Representatives, Wale Ahmed, said the Agege people would not be part of the protest. He urged those in the constituency who want to protest to ensure their exercise is peaceful.
Ahmed said: “I know this president and I also know he is doing well with his intentions and motives. If you check the pact he is following even if some of them are yet to translate to the betterment of the people’s lives. Everyone including some of the people, who are trying to foment trouble in the name of protest, knows that he is doing well.
“So, in Agege we know ourselves and we believe in the administration of Mr President and we believe he is doing well. He has good intentions and so we urge our people not to participate in any protest.
“And for those who believe they must participate in the protest, they shouldn’t let it cross the line of a peaceful protest. But for anybody who wants to listen to us, you don’t need to participate in the protest at all.”
The Chairman of Agege Local Government, Ganiyu Kola Egunjobi, said the people of the local council will not be part of the protest.
“Our peaceful coexistence in Agege cannot be compromised. We all know what happened at the last EndSARS protest. The beautiful edifice you are seeing here in Agege was burnt down by the so-called protesters even though the people of Agege resisted them from burning the public infrastructure.
“Two police stations were burnt down so we don’t want such incidents to repeat themselves in Agege because the people are already enjoying the dividend of democracy.
“This is why we must educate our people that protest is a civic right but violence is unlawful. We want them to know that the stakeholders in Agege are saying no to protest,” he said.
