We’ll Never Be Found In Company Of Those To Whom Lives Of Innocent Lagosians Mean Nothing – Sanwo-Olu Says As He Withdraws From Governorship Debate With Jandor

Taking his condemnation of the mayhem sponsored by the gubernatorial candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Olajide Adediran otherwise known as Jandor to another level, Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has withdrawn his participation in the governorship debate with him.

Sanwo-Olu condemned the “shocking video” trending wherein a group of armed thugs was seen shooting in broad daylight in the Surulere area of the state.

“The Platform Governorship” is being put together by Pastor Poju Oyemade of the Covenant Christian Church family and it is expected to feature all governorship candidates in the state today; Sunday, January 29.

Governor Sanwo-Olu stated this in a statement titled “Lagos will never condone violence,” a copy of which was made available to Theliberationnews by Mr. Gbenga Omotoso, the State Commissioner for Information and Strategy.

The governor, in strong terms, condemned the barbarity, saying it had dented Lagos State’s reputation as the safest in Nigeria, and vowed that “we will henceforth shun any forum that may require us being together with PDP and its agents of violence.”

According to him, the decision was made in response to advice from competent sources, including elders and respectable Lagosians, but he quickly stated that he “holds Pastor Poju Oyemade and the Covenant Christian Church family in high regard 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,” the statement said.

Meanwhile, the Lagos State government stated that security agencies are investigating the viral video, expressing hope that “they will fish out and prosecute the evil actors, who are believed to be henchmen of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).”

“The Lagos State Government has 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.

“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.”