29th January, 2023
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos has pulled out of Sunday’s governorship debate organised by Pastor Poju Oyemade’s the Platform.
This follows the broad daylight shooting in Surulere area of Lagos by thugs allegedly loyal to the PDP’s governorship candidate, Olajide Adediran, popularly known as Jandor.
Trending video on Saturday showed thugs in PDP campaign vehicle shooting sporadically. They were exchanging gunfire with another group.
A statement issued by Gbenga Omotoso, Lagos Commissioner for Information and Strategy, said the governor is pulling out of the debate as he would never be found in the company of those whom the lives of innocent Lagosians meant nothing.
In his words: “Consequently, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu regrets to announce that he will not be participating at The Platform Governorship Debate of January 29, 2023.
“The Governor holds Pastor Poju Oyemade and the Covenant Christian Church family in high esteem and cherishes future opportunities to engage the congregation and render accounts of his stewardship to them as integral parts of the Lagos electorate.
“We will never be found in the company of those to whom the lives of innocent Lagosians mean nothing. Mr Sanwo-Olu won’t share a podium with them.”
Meanwhile, Omotoso said the state government had noted the flood of comments sparked by the shocking video of a group of thugs shooting in broad daylight in Surulere.
“Security agencies are investigating the video, which has gone viral on the social media. We believe they will fish out and prosecute the evil actors, who are believed to be henchmen of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
“We condemn this savagery that has portrayed our state, the safest in Nigeria, in a bad light. That is not who we are; we are civilized and cultured.
“Following advice from competent sources, including elders and respectable Lagosians, we will henceforth shun any forum that may require us being together with PDP and its agents of violence,” he said.