A fresh debate has emerged in Edo State following a motion by the Minority Leader of the Edo State House of Assembly, Natasha Osawaru, calling for measures to address what she described as increasing indecent dressing among young people, particularly females.
The development has drawn criticism from Osaze Edigin of the Edo Civil Society Organization, who questioned the lawmaker’s position and linked the move to an incident in June 2024 when Osawaru was ordered out of the Assembly chamber over her mode of dressing.
In his reaction, Edigin accused the lawmaker of seeking to make other residents of the state experience the same embarrassment she faced during the earlier incident.
He described the development as an attempt to impose on the public an issue that had previously resulted in her own humiliation within the legislative chamber.
Edigin also criticised the House, describing its activities as lacking more pressing priorities and questioning the relevance of the current focus on dressing among residents.
Osawaru had moved the motion during plenary on Tuesday, November 10, 2026, under Matters of Public Importance, urging the Edo State Government to initiate a public enlightenment campaign to address what she described as the growing exposure of sensitive parts of the body among young people.
She called for greater involvement of families, schools and relevant government agencies in promoting decent dressing and cultural values.
The lawmaker subsequently moved another motion asking the state government to develop a blueprint on dress codes. She also called for the involvement of the Ministries of Women Affairs and Education, professional bodies, heads of ministries and parastatals, as well as market women, in public enlightenment and monitoring efforts.
The motion was seconded by Eric Okaka, while Speaker of the House, Yekini Idaiye, directed that it be forwarded to the appropriate authority.
During the debate, lawmakers expressed different positions on the proposal. Nicholas Asosere and Deputy Speaker Atu Osamwonyi supported the need to promote decency, self-respect and cultural values through public enlightenment.
However, Majority Leader Sunday Ojezele called for a broader approach that would address dressing among both males and females. He also cautioned against measures that could infringe on citizens’ fundamental rights and liberties.
The latest development has brought renewed attention to an earlier incident involving Osawaru on June 26, 2024, when she was serving as Deputy Majority Leader of the Assembly.
At the time, the then Speaker, Blessing Agbebaku, ordered her out of plenary after a point of order raised by Nicholas Asonsere, who represents Ikpoba-Okha Constituency, over her dressing and use of dark sunglasses.
Asonsere argued that her appearance contravened the House rules, describing the chamber as a sacred place where members were expected to observe established standards.
The Speaker subsequently directed Osawaru to leave the session, explaining that the action was in accordance with the rules of the Assembly.
The 2026 motion, however, is not reported as a bill seeking to criminalise indecent dressing. Available reports indicate that the House called for public enlightenment and a government blueprint on dress codes, with the proposal referred to the appropriate authority.
The debate has consequently raised questions about the balance between promoting cultural values, personal freedom and the responsibility of lawmakers to protect citizens’ fundamental rights.
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