Akeem Lasisi
Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Gbenga Omotoso, has assured the #EndBadGovernance in the state to call off the action because they have made their point.
He said Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu had heard them loud and clear and would diligently take action on all their demands within the purview of his administration.
Omotoso noted this on Friday, in an interview with ‘Channels Television’.
According to him, the protesters and other stakeholders had demonstrated that Lagos is the Centre of Excellence by allowing peace to reign since Thursday when the protest began.
He, however, stressed that now that the protesters had had their say, they should retreat and allow the government to act on their demands.
Omotoso said, “We thank Lagosians that this is not going out of hand at all. I have gone round and seen everything. It’s all peaceful. For our people who are protesting, they have had their rights exercised. They have had their say.
“Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the Governor, has heard them loud and clear. Now is time to go home. Now is time to stop the protest. Now is time to call it off wait to see what the government will do.”
The commissioner had also enjoined Muslims who were about to observe the Jumat to pray for the country, for unity and pray for the sustenance of the values that make all and sundry continue to cherish Lagos.
He added, “One of those things is that Lagos is peaceful, Lagos is secure. We also need to seize this opportunity, as the Governor did last night, to thank all the security personnel, traditional rulers and religious leaders who contributed to securing the peace we have. The Governor has heard the protesters – loud and clear. All he has said he wants to do, he will. So, they should go home and allow peace to continue to reign.
“What we have done in Lagos between Thursday and today shows Lagos is truly a Centre of Excellence. It’s truly populated by people who are discerning. People who love their city, who love their state. During the #ENDSars protest, there was destruction in a scale beyond what one could believe or comprehend. We all have seen it. Till today, the scars are still here and there. The wound has yet to heal. So, we do not want that kind of things in Lagos again. We have to remember that many are envious of us. They are envious of our unity that we are proud of any day. So, the protesters They should call off the protest and go home for peace and progress to continue to be our lot.”
Omotoso also used the opportunity to refute a claim that the state sponsored the anti-protest groups who also went round to express their stance. According to him, Lagos is too civilised for that kind of practice.
“Anybody who thinks that the government will sponsor people to come and protest against those protesting is thinking in an absurd way. It’s unheard of in Lagos. We are a sophisticated government . We do not think that way. Everyone, including those protesting are all our own. All we are about is peace. This is Lagos, the Centre of Excellence. What is important is to appeal to the people protesting that it’s time to go home as wit’s good we do not allow enemies of the state to take advantage of the situation,” he said.
