By James Ogunnaike, Abeokuta

The Speaker of the Ogun State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Oludaisi Elemide, has said the 10th Assembly has resolved about 55 per cent of land grabbing-related petitions received in the last two years, noting that the intervention has helped to sustain peace and stability across the state.

Elemide disclosed this at a press conference in Abeokuta to mark his second anniversary in office, during which he presented a scorecard of the Assembly’s legislative and oversight activities.

According to him, land disputes remain the most prevalent complaints brought before the House, reflecting the scale of the problem in several communities.

“Most petitions received by the Assembly border on land grabbing. The House has intervened by inviting both complainants and defendants to resolve disputes amicably,” the Speaker said.

He explained that the Assembly prioritises mediation and dialogue, adding that more than half of the cases had been settled through peaceful engagement, a development he said has contributed significantly to the relative peace currently enjoyed in Ogun State.

While reaffirming the legislature’s commitment to conflict resolution, Elemide stressed that lasting solutions require strong political will from the executive arm of government.

“Resolving such challenges largely depends on the political will of the executive arm; the legislature has continued to play its constitutional role without fear or favour,” he stated.

On enforcement, the Speaker noted that agencies such as the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services have the constitutional mandate to tackle criminal elements involved in land grabbing.

“Relevant security agencies such as the Nigeria Police and the Department of State Services are empowered to act,” Elemide said.

He urged residents to take advantage of legal frameworks enacted by the Assembly, particularly laws aimed at curbing land grabbing and restoring order.

“The Assembly has done its part by passing laws against land grabbing and ensuring they are assented to. The responsibility now lies with citizens and relevant authorities to utilise existing laws,” he added.

Beyond land-related interventions, Elemide highlighted the Assembly’s legislative productivity, citing the passage of key laws such as the Ogun State Power Sector Law 2024, Consumer Protection Law 2024, and the Scavengers and Waste Dealers Regulation Law 2025.

He also referenced the passage of the 2024 Revised Appropriation Law, as well as the 2025 and 2026 Appropriation Laws, as evidence of the House’s commitment to fiscal planning and accountable governance. Other bills, he said, are still undergoing legislative processes, including those on agricultural advancement, judicial and legislative pensions, boundary commissions and development planning.

The Speaker further disclosed that the House had passed several resolutions addressing pressing social issues, including cultism, drug abuse, illegal mining, flood control, road reconstruction and correctional centre decongestion.

On traditional institutions, Elemide explained that monarchs operate under the supervision of local governments, which are accountable to the Assembly. He said the House retains the constitutional authority to summon any local government chairman or public officer when necessary, in line with due process.

He assured residents of the lawmakers’ readiness to intervene swiftly in matters capable of threatening public peace, adding that the Assembly would not hesitate to enact new laws where required to protect lives and property.

Meanwhile, Elemide said the House would support the construction of new legislative quarters for state lawmakers, either at the current location or elsewhere, if it serves the overall interest of the state.

Backed by principal officers of the Assembly, he explained that the existing quarters, built during the military era ahead of the Second Republic, are no longer suitable under the present democratic dispensation, noting that the two-bedroom apartments were originally designed for a legislator and a driver when legislative duties were part-time.

The clarification followed reports of plans by the state government to demolish the quarters and build new ones. Elemide said lawmakers had not been served any notice to vacate the premises and that no relocation funds had been paid, adding that legislators would request payment in lieu of accommodation if relocation becomes necessary.

“We shall not object to the demolition and rebuilding of new legislative quarters in the interest of the state. The current quarters cannot stand the test of time again,” Elemide said.

While calling for stronger legislative independence and prioritisation of the Assembly resolutions and bills passed by the Assembly by the executive; the Speaker reaffirmed the Assembly’s commitment to advancing legislative activities, oversight on government projects, and collaborating with the executive to convert resolutions into visible development for the residents of the State.