The Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, at the 2022 National Congress and Scientific Conference of the Nigerian Psychological Association (NPA) at the Lagos State University (LASU) on Wednesday, reechoed the quest for restructuring, saying that Nigeria needs true federalism to resolve the lingering security crisis in the country.
Obasa insisted on the practice of true federalism as widely demanded by several stakeholders, including Niger Delta, southwest, Middle Belt leaders. He stated that true federalism would guarantee political autonomy and the right to control resources.
The Speaker called on the federal government to have the political will to implement the recommendations of the various panels and committees that had investigated remote and immediate causes of insecurity in the country.
According to the Speaker, “…the federal government should muster the political will to carry out the recommendations of the numerous panels and committees set up to investigate the immediate and remote causes of the crisis.”
He bemoaned the persistent insecurity in Nigeria in spite of the federal government’s deployment of financial and other resources to fight crimes.
Speaker Obasa, represented by Victor Akande, Chairman, House Committee on Judiciary, emphasized the need for sincere national mediation, negotiation, arbitration, reconciliation and broad amnesty as modern conflict resolution strategies in the country.
Speaking on “Security and National Sustainability”, the Speaker noted the proactive security policies of the Lagos State at all the tiers of government, noting that it is a model.
Obasa highlighted: “Here in Lagos State, we have taken preventive steps to ensure that law and order do not collapse for no good reason.
“We established the Neighbourhood Safety Corps because we are aware of the critical need for quick response from local security officers at the grassroots level.
“The state government’s efforts, led by the Neighbourhood Safety Corps and aided by other security officers on the ground, have made Lagos a secure place to live for everyone.
“There is, however, reason to believe that the federal government will support the same objective by establishing a state police force and community preventative policing.”