Surulere shooting: Lagos Gov. Sanwo-Olu withdraws from debate with candidate of party involved

The Lagos State Government has condemned the broad daylight shooting witnessed in the Surulere axis of Lagos on Saturday and vowed that the perpetrators will be brought to book.

As a result of the shooting spree, the government said Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu will not participate in the forthcoming debate for governorship candidates involving the candidate of the party allegedly responsible for the violence.

It said the invitation by a church — the Covenant Christian Church (CCC) presided over by Pastor Poju Oyemade — to the debate is, therefore, declined.

“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 Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso, said in a statement given to Persecondnews on Sunday.

He said investigation into the incident captured in a video that has gone viral on the social media.

“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 People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

“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.”