Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, yesterday advised Lagosians planning to join the upcoming protest against the government to restrict their activities to designated protest grounds.
During a press conference addressing the protest set to begin on August 1, the governor expressed his views on the matter.
“Protests are not the solution to the challenges facing the country,” Sanwo-Olu said. “Is a protest the practical catalyst for progress our nation requires at this time? Will it suddenly ensure that all our challenges disappear in ten days? Will the protest bring down the prices of foodstuff by the eleventh day? Shutting down the economy for ten days will not inspire the economic growth we earnestly desire. I strongly believe that a protest now will not solve these issues for us as a nation. Instead, it would roll back the modest gains we have made in various aspects of our socio-economic life.”
The governor acknowledged the existing challenges and assured that the government is actively addressing them. “So much is being done in many sectors to alleviate the pains of the people and prepare the path to lasting prosperity. Are quick fixes available to the government? I doubt that,” he affirmed.
Sanwo-Olu emphasized that while peaceful protests are fundamental rights protected by the constitution, attempting to sack an elected government in ten days through protests is not constitutional.
Appealing to the potential protesters, he said, “To the organizers of the protest, I repeat, while your intentions may be noble, do not substitute your intentions with the motives of other forces. Your gathering might be what they need to perpetrate their acts. There cannot be fifth columnists if there are no columns. If your protest becomes a column, then there can be fifth columnists.”
Reflecting on past events, Sanwo-Olu reminded Lagosians of the tragic outcomes of the EndSARS protest in 2020. “What began as a peaceful demonstration was, unfortunately, hijacked by elements with devilish intentions. They unleashed an unprecedented war on our state, resulting in the destruction of valuable properties, the disruption of businesses, and the loss of lives. These events left deep scars on our state and hurt our psyche. We are yet to fully recover from the mindless destruction of some symbols of our rich and enviable heritage.”
