L-R: Governors Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, Oluwarotimi of Ondo, Kayode of Ekiri, Seyi Makinde of Oyo and Gboyega Oyetola of Osun, states
By Ayo Kehinde
Governors of the six-southwest states and Ministers from the zone on Sunday paid a solidarity visit to Governor Babajide-Sanwo-Olu of Lagos in the aftermath of the post #End SARS violence that led to the destruction of public and private properties in the state.
Led by the Chairman of the Southwest Governors Forum, Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State, the visitors who were received by Sanwo-Olu at his Marina, Lagos residence, lamented that the destruction in the state would impact on the local and national economy and take a long time to address. He express worry at the scale of destruction, stating that, “The development leaves us with no other option than to believe that there may be other reasons for continued protests, well-coordinated and funded.
“We are particularly worried that 48 hours after the unfortunate incident at the Lekki Toll Gate by persons adorning military outfit, there has been no definitive statement from the military authorities on the incident. Our anxiety becomes heightened by the categorical denial of the Governor of Lagos State concerning the military deployment. No Governor has powers to authorise deployment of military personnel in Nigeria.”
Also peaking on behalf of the entourage, Minster of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola expressed support for the peaceful protest against police brutality but condemned the attendant wanton destruction and appealed to people to stop sending inciting pictures, messages and videos that could incense youths across the country.
He said the people must rise above the current situation, “for all of us to be well. We appeal to all of us to refrain from messages and pictures that help to raise the temperature so we can help the masses, let government go ahead with the steps it had taken to address the problem and unravel how we got there.”
The governors and ministers in the delegation included governors of Oyo and Ekiti states, Engr. Seyi Makinde, and Dr. Kayode Fayemi, while at the Ministerial level, Minister of Industry, Trade and Development, Otunba Niyi Adebayo, Minister of State for Health, Sen. Olorunimbe Mamora, Minister of State for Niger Delta, Sen. Omotayo Alasoadura, and Minister for Mines and Steel Developmentthe Minister for Sport and Youth Development, Mr. Sunday Dare, Minister for Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, were present.
