Deputy Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Wasiu Eshinlokun-Sanni- Says ‘2023 is Southwest’s turn’
- Appreciates Trek Africa Newspaper for LAWMAKER OF THE YEAR award
To lead the premium team at the Lagos House of Assembly is no mean feat. Rt. Hon. Wasiu Eshinlokun-Sanni prides himself as the Deputy Speaker and has performed credibly in churning out quality laws and policies for the good people of Lagos while also delivering valued representation to his immediate constituency.
For his exceptional performance, the Trek Africa Newspaper presented him with the award of the Lawmaker of the Year 2019 at its recent national discourse. The team of the national newspaper delivered the award to the office of the lawmaker yesterday and also used the opportunity to conduct a current affairs interview with Hon. Sanni.
This is an exclusive. It is a delight to read!
L-R: Yomi Oyelami; Oki Samson; Deputy Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Wasiu Eshinlokun-Sanni and Sidney Nwachukwu1.The people of Southwest are in overwhelming support of the Southwest Security Network code named ‘Operation Amotekun’ but some see it as a means to form the Oodua Republic, what’s your stance on the establishment of the security outfit?
Hon. Sanni: Any idea to complement the effort of the Police is a welcome idea because there is shortage of manpower for the Police. People have been craving the idea of community policing over time. I don’t see the fear, majority are in support. The Southeast, the South-south, and Middle belt are not averse to the development, they would even want to borrow a leaf from what the Governors of Southwest have done and implement in their respective regions.
2. Operation ‘Amotekun’ is yet to be backed by law, what is the Lagos House of Assembly doing to expedite this action?
Hon. Sanni: We realize the shortcomings of ‘Amotekun’ and all the Speakers of the Houses of Assembly in the Southwest are working to harmonize the bill for this purpose. There is unity among the legislators in the Southwest because we now use an harmonized rule for all the Houses in the Southwest. So I can assure you that we are currently working with all other state legislatures to draft a very good bill for this purpose. By the time we resume from recess, we will also work on it.
3. How do we ensure that when Operation ‘Amotekun’ kicks off, there will not be duplication of efforts or clash of interest between the organization and Lagos Neighborhood Safety Corps (LNSC) already in place in Lagos?
Hon. Sanni: I do not see any reason for duplication or overlap. What I see is that synergy wil be built between Amotekun and LNSC. The germane function of any government is to provide security for lives and properties; and everything we can do to ensure protection of lives and properties cannot be too much and it will be in tandem with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
4.What is the government doing to ameliorate the pains of Lagosians as it relates to the ban of motorcycles and tricycles?
Hon. Sanni: I believe this development is not a new one. Anyone who is sincere and live in Lagos will tell that this law has been in existence since Fashola administration. The law stated routes that should not be plied by motorcycles and tricycles in the Traffic Law of Lagos state. We do not think that okada and keke marwa riding in a sign of development plus the excesses of these people stare us in the face, and we must do something about it. Every well-meaning Nigerian should support the ban. We have 57 LGs/LCDAs, if it was banned in 16 we still have 41 others where they can do their businesses. They still have more than 70% of Lagos to ply their trade. I know there are emerging challenges which is the essence of government. I know the Lagos State Government will rise to ameliorate the challenges faced by residents.
5.2023 is fast approaching, many are touting Asiwaju Bola Tinubu to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari, what do you think?
Hon. Sanni: It is too early, I think it is just about 8 months in the life of this new administration to discuss candidacy. However, it cannot be too early to say that it was agreed that there will be isolation of power between the North and the South. If Pres. Buhari then spends 8 years, it goes without saying that it should come back to the South. Regions will now determine and we know South-South is out of the equation because it recently produced Goodluck Jonathan. If Southeast has not been supportive of our party, how will we dash them the presidency? This leaves us with the Southwest. When the time comes we can talk about endorsement of candidates. Don’t forget that APC is an amalgamation of ACN, CPC and others of which ACN had more governors. So if we are magnanimous to see the quality in President Muhammadu Buhari to cede presidency to him, what party should come next. However, let the time come. We are not thinking about that for now. However, if my leader Asiwaju Tinubu decides to contest in 2023, he has all it takes to contest, win and deliver.
6. You have been honoured as Lawmaker of the Year 2019 by Trek Africa Newspaper, how do you react?
Hon. Sanni: I must thank the Trek Africa Newspaper for the honours done for me. I am immensely grateful and I thank them from the bottom of my heart. This kind of honour will only spur me to do more and try to be the best at what I do. I will not disappoint the Trek Africa Newspaper. And I will continually do the legislations that will improve the lives of Nigerians and make dividends of democracy attainable to the constituents.
7. On a lighter note, we see that you are a lover of arts. What is the relationship between Hon. Eshinlokun and arts?
Hon. Sanni: They gave all these artworks to me but whatever is good should be appreciated. I love the arts. I love sports too. I am an Arsenal fan.
By Abayomi Oyelami, Trek Africa Newspaper
Hello, my name is Jack Sparrow. I'm a 50 year old self-employed Pirate from the Caribbean. 
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