A proposed bill by the Osun State House of Assembly to penalize public skating with jail terms or heavy fines has triggered political backlash, with the National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ajibola Basiru, calling the move “laughable” and a legislative misstep.
The bill, which seeks to impose a six-month prison sentence or a N250,000 fine on individuals caught skating in public spaces, particularly highways, has sparked sharp disagreement between Senator Basiru and Osun Assembly Speaker Adewale Egbedun.
In a statement released by his gubernatorial campaign team, Basiru—who is vying for the APC gubernatorial ticket—condemned the bill, arguing it sends the wrong message to youths and stifles sports development.
“We are disturbed by the idea of punishing open skating at a time when Nigeria is just beginning to discover promising talents in the sport,” Basiru said. “Instead of investing in sports infrastructure like other states, Osun is threatening young people with jail time.”
He also criticised Speaker Egbedun for backing the proposal, stating that as a young politician, he should be promoting youth engagement through sports, not restricting it. Basiru called for the immediate withdrawal of the bill and urged Governor Ademola Adeleke to intervene and redirect the Assembly’s legislative efforts.
Reacting to the backlash, Speaker Egbedun defended the bill, clarifying that it does not seek to ban skating entirely but rather regulate unsafe skating practices on highways and busy roads.
In a statement issued by his aide, Olugbenga Akanfe, the Speaker said, “Skating behind moving vehicles or in traffic-heavy areas is dangerous not just to the skaters but to motorists. The bill aims to ensure public safety, not to criminalize youth activities.”
Egbedun added that the absence of designated skating arenas contributes to the current problem. He disclosed that a new skating facility would be included in the redevelopment plans for the Osogbo City Stadium under the Adeleke administration.
Drawing parallels with Lagos State, where skating on public roads has long been regulated under traffic laws, Egbedun said Osun’s bill follows best practices. “This is about saving lives and ensuring our young people enjoy sports in a structured and safe environment,” he noted.
