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From Sunday Ani
The Lagos State House of Assembly has debunked the report that lawmakers ordered the police to teargas and arrest protesters at the Assembly gate yesterday.
Some Lagos residents had gathered at the Assembly gate to complain about the demolition exercise, which the state government carried out in the Makoko area of the state.
The clarification was contained in a statement by the Chairman, House Committee on Information, Strategy and Security, Stephen Ogundipe.
Part of the statement read: “The Lagos State House of Assembly has noted with concern a publication, titled, ‘Police teargas Makoko anti-demolition protesters at Lagos Assembly, arrest activist Hassan Soweto, others,’ credited to Ishaya Ibrahim, which contains several inaccuracies, distortions and unverified allegations capable of misleading the public and inflaming tensions.
“This rejoinder is issued to set the record straight in the interest of truth, public order and responsible journalism.
“Contrary to insinuations that lawmakers watched or ignored the situation, it must be clearly stated that the Lagos State House of Assembly was officially on recess at the time of the incident.
“Notwithstanding this, upon receiving information about the gathering at the Assembly gate, Hon. (Otunba) Ogundipe Stephen Olukayode, Chairman, House Committee on Information, Strategy and Security, mobilised four other Honourable Members who were present within the complex to engage the protesters in good faith.
“This action alone demonstrates the Assembly’s openness to dialogue and commitment to democratic engagement, even outside plenary sitting periods.
“Upon arrival at the main gate of the Assembly complex, the Honourable Members clearly informed the protesters that: The Assembly was on recess; Engagement could be held peacefully at the gate and their grievances would be duly documented and escalated appropriately.
“However, the protesters flatly rejected dialogue at the gate and insisted on gaining access into the Assembly complex, in clear violation of established security protocols governing legislative premises.
“During the engagement, the individual who identified himself as Taiwo Hassan (alias Hassan Soweto) became openly confrontational and verbally abusive.
“He directed uncouth, defamatory, and inflammatory language at Honourable Members present; the Commissioner of Police, CP Jimoh Moshood, who was physically on ground solely to prevent a breakdown of law and order.
“The activist went as far as publicly accusing the Commissioner of murder, alleging his ‘hands and mouth were full of blood,’ statements that are grave, reckless, and unsupported by evidence.
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“At a point, he openly challenged an Honourable Member, Hon. Tobun, to ‘prove his comradeship,’ and arrogantly ordered him to ‘shut up’ if he had nothing ‘good’ to say.
“Such conduct was hostile, provocative, and inconsistent with peaceful protest.
“As the crowd became increasingly unruly and attempts were made to force entry into the Assembly premises, security operatives acted strictly within their constitutional responsibility to secure lives, property, and critical government infrastructure.
“At no point did the Lagos State House of Assembly order the deployment of teargas; authorise arrests or direct any use of force against protesters.
“The decision for Honourable Members to withdraw from the gate was taken on the advice of the Commissioner of Police to prevent physical confrontation and escalation.
“The claim that lawmakers watched as police unleashed teargas and live ammunition is false, sensational, and unsupported.
“No member witnessed or sanctioned the use of live ammunition, and no credible evidence has been presented to substantiate such a grave allegation.
“The Lagos State House of Assembly categorically dissociates itself from any attempt to falsely attribute security decisions to the legislature.”
On the Makoko demolition exercise, the House noted that issues relating to infrastructure safety, power-line setbacks and demolitions fall under executive and regulatory authorities.
It said: “The Assembly has consistently advocated dialogue, humane engagement, and lawful processes in addressing urban development challenges.
“The assurances previously given during the January 15 engagement were not a blanket suspension directive, but a commitment to intervention through appropriate legislative channels, which cannot occur during recess without due process.
“The House stated that it remains committed to peaceful civic engagement; protection of democratic rights; orderly and respectful dialogue as the only sustainable path to conflict resolution.”
