By Adeyinka Adeniran
Oyo State House of Assembly has called for an improved and enhanced security around media houses especially, particularly government owned radio and television stations across the state following the recent invasion of the State Secretariat by members of the Yoruba Nation Agitators.
Aside me houses, the lawmakers also called for installations of surveillance cameras around state 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 Activist so as to have a better understanding of their demands.
The motion was presented by the leader of the house, Hon Sanjo Adedoyin at the floor of the house. It was co-sponsored by, Hon Dawood Olarere and four other members of the house.
The lawmakers wondered why the agitators targeted Oyo state to commit such crime noting that some people might be in the state who are bent on making the state ungovernable for Governor Seyi Makinde.
They however 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 emphasized the need to strengthen the security apparatus of Agodi state Secretariat Ibadan.
They said the installation of surveillance camera 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, espwcially government-owned to annouce a take over of the power, loke it used to be in the millitary days.
He appeal to the government to as a matter of urgency provide better security to the 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 Activist so as to reduce incessant protest and ensure peace in Oyo state, noting that even Nigerians have certain rights guaranteed by the Constitution, but nobody has the right to attempt to overthrow a democratically elected government as attempted by the agitators.
The lawmaker representing Ibadan North II, Babajide Gabriel, in his submission noted that similar situation occassioned by 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, providing security details for lawmakers, engaging the Yoruba Nation agitators on a 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 emphasized the need for urgent beef up of security apparatus within and around the State Assembly Complex.
