A member of the National Assembly, Hon. Bayo Balogun, has expressed confidence that Nigeria will make significant progress in the fight against insecurity if states and local government areas implement no open grazing policies and citizens stop providing shelter for criminals.
Balogun, who represents Ibeju-Lekki Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, made these remarks during a programme on Adamimogo 93.1 FM, a Lagos-based radio station.
According to him, many audacious attacks on rural communities result from residents failing to alert security agencies when terrorists infiltrate their neighborhoods. He stressed that government at all levels must prioritize security in the same way it implemented fuel subsidy removal, adding that judicious use of the ₦4 trillion allocated to security in the 2025 budget will go a long way toward securing the country.
The lawmaker also called for vigilante groups and other community volunteers to be permitted to bear arms, saying the fear of taking bold decisions has slowed the nation’s progress. He emphasized that the practice of herders moving cattle within human settlements must end, while citizens must actively support the establishment of state police in the ongoing constitutional amendments.
On subsidy removal, Balogun maintained that President Bola Tinubu should not be blamed, noting that subsidy had already been removed with the passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill.
Speaking on politics, he criticized former Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola, now a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), accusing him of turning his back on President Tinubu despite enjoying years of political privileges from him in Lagos.
Highlighting his legislative duties, Balogun noted that beyond lawmaking, constituency projects remain key to meeting the needs of constituents. He commended President Tinubu for approving ₦1 billion projects in each federal constituency from subsidy savings, citing the Eleko market he facilitated, with similar projects set to begin in Awoyaya and Lekki.
On the ongoing constitutional amendments, Balogun said the proposal for state police is likely to succeed. He also disclosed that new provisions may guarantee women at least one House of Representatives and Senate seat per state, while persons living with disabilities could be allocated one seat per geopolitical zone.
Looking ahead to the 2027 general elections, the lawmaker reassured Nigerians that electoral processes will be more transparent, with online reprinting of missing Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) now available.
He urged residents to unite in securing their neighborhoods, especially in parts of Ibeju-Lekki affected by power outages due to vandalized transformers and cables.
On his constituency interventions, Balogun highlighted initiatives across key sectors, including support for tertiary institution students, and advised beneficiaries to also take advantage of the student loan scheme introduced by the Tinubu administration.
