Why I cancelled Lagos peace walk – Gov Sanwo-Olu

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has revealed the reason why he cancelled the Lagos peace walk planned for this month that was meant to herald the healing of the state.

The governor explained that he cancelled the peace walk planned to prevent the spread of the new Omicron COVID-19 variant which has been recorded in Nigeria.

Sanwo-Olu had November 30, 2021, had invited the youth, some celebrities, civil society organisations, the media and other groups of the EndSARS protest in the state in October 2020 to join him in the peace walk, saying it will signal a new beginning for the state.

Those invited include Folarin Falana (Falz), Debo Adebayo (Mr Marcaroni), Dele Farotimi, Temitope Majekodunmi, Segun Awosanya (Segalink), Adedotun (Just Detoun), Seun Kuti, Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Odumosu; and Commander of Rapid Response Squad (RRS), CSP Yinka Egbeyemi, amongst others.

But Falz, Mr Macaroni, the younger Kuti, amongst some arrowheads of the protest, had rejected the invitation, saying there must be justice for EndSARS victims before peace.

Speaking at a media briefing on Thursday, Sanwo-Olu said the peace walk was cancelled owing to the rise in cases of the Omicron COVID-19 variant.

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“Since my last address to you on Tuesday 30, November 2021, during which I expressed a desire to lead a walk for peace, following the outcome of the work of the judicial panel on restitution for victims of SARS-related abuses and other matters, I have been inundated with deep expressions of solidarity from various groups and people declaring their readiness to join me on the symbolic walk,” he said.

“When the unseen enemy called COVID-19 began to ravage the world and indeed our nation, I assumed the role of the incident commander in our quest to protect the lives of our people. We subjected ourselves to the dictates of science.

“We chose to be guided not by our emotions, but expert opinions rooted in science. Between Tuesday 30, November 2021 that I made my address, and now, we have seen a significant rise in cases associated with the Omicron variant of this pandemic.

“Given this development, I am constrained to stand down all preparations for the walk for peace. I will not endanger the life of any Lagosian in my sincere search for peace.

“I am overwhelmed by the outpouring of support the initiative received from far and near. The deluge of support is, however, indicative of one thing: our people know the strategic place of peace to our quest for development.”

The Omicron variant first detected in South Africa has been confirmed in over 50 countries including Nigeria though no associated death has been recorded globally.

Many countries including the United Kingdom, the United States, and European nations have since slammed travel restrictions on African countries, a move that has been widely criticised as discriminatory.

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