SW Govs: Destruction In Lagos Deliberate To Weaken South-West Economy |The Source

By Akinwale Kasali

The South-West Governors Forum has alleged that the wanton destruction of public and private assets and properties in Lagos, by hoodlums was a planned attempt to weaken the region’s economy.

Four out of the Six South-West Governors converged in Lagos, alongside Ministers from the South-West  to commiserate with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State over the destruction of public and private facilities by hoodlums who had hijacked the #EndSARS protests by youths.

The Governors expressed shock over the monumental havoc the State experienced this past week when Governor Sanwo-Olu received them at the State House in Marina, showing  them pictorial evidence of the violence before visiting some of the torched assets – the Lagos High Court, the Nigeria Port Authority building, the Bus Rapid Transit Buses set ablazed and the Forensic Lab.

At a joint press conference held after the tour, Chairman of the Forum and Ondo State Governor Rotimi Akeredolu likened Lagos to a war zone, given the extent of the destruction.

The Forum demanded an investigation into the circumstances that led to the destruction of public assets and private businesses in Lagos.

Akeredolu said the attacks in Lagos State were planned and targeted at weakening the economy of South-West states.

“The regression into savagery exposed South-west’s vulnerability to manipulation by divisive elements bent on annihilating the region’s economic prosperity and destroying its common heritage.

“We are deeply concerned with the ease with which public buildings, utilities, police stations, and investment of our people have been burnt despite the proximity of security agencies in those areas. The development leaves us with no other option than to believe that there may be other reasons for continued protests, well-coordinated and funded.

“We are particularly worried that 48 hours after the unfortunate incident at the Lekki Toll Gate by persons adorning military outfit, there has been no definitive statement from the military authorities on the incident. Our anxiety becomes heightened by the categorical denial of the Governor of Lagos State concerning the military deployment. No Governor has powers to authorise deployment of military personnel in Nigeria.”

Governor Seyi Makinde and his Ekiti State counterpart, Governor Kayode Fayemi were on the delegation with other Federal Executive Council members.

They include: Minister for Sport and Youth Development, Mr. Sunday Dare, Minister for Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, Minister of Industry, Trade and Development, Otunba Niyi Adebayo, Minister of State for Health, Sen. Olorunimbe Mamora, Minister of State for Niger Delta, Sen. Omotayo Alasoadura, and Minister for Mines and Steel Development.