A Lagos Based pro-democracy organization, Epe Youth Forum (EYF), has urged Lagos State Government to go ahead to conduct opinion poll on the social media saying there is nothing wrong with the method of gathering people’s view on crucial matters affecting the populace.
The Forum’s Convener, Comrade Adewale Oladipupo in a statement in Lagos Weekend also advised the residents to ignore the antics of some self-styled alarmists, whose stuck in trade is to cause confusion with the hope of undermining the good work of Governor Sanwo-Olu administration towards effective uprooting of the deadly virus from the state.
According to Adewale, it’s in line with global norms for government the world over to employ social media to sample public views on matters of national interest as it is one of the most recognized standard of knowing the true position of the people on an issue of collective concern.
“The United Kingdom (UK), used social media for Public Opinion Poll on Brexit. The Scottish referendum took online public opinion pattern. Public opinion that stopped trump from flouting the America from a nationwide shut down was conducted through social media,” the youth leader reminded, adding that, any responsible administration, will do same to be on the same page with its people.
While praising the state government for being responsible the Epe, Lagos State born activist encouraged it not to get frustrated over the wonderful initiative expected from a responsive and civilised administration in the way the affairs of any state are conducted.
Adewale, who emboldened the government not to back down from that laudable development, stressed that, “on Covid-19, every country of the world today takes decisions based on the opinion of their people,” expressing conviction that Lagos State should not be an exemption!
“We would not have minded if we are not in democracy because it is only in a dictatorship that rulers would not care a hoot about the opinion of the citizenry. This government has our backing. We are very much grateful to it and we support it in form of appreciation for a job being well done.
“We expect Lagos State Government to be guided accordingly. So, if the need for a second time lockdown through medical advice, so be it. The government should be muster courage to go ahead. Like minds Civil Society groups like ours and other well-meaning Nigerians would not desert the working administration whose leader and his team are walking the talk,” Adewale declared.
