Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has reacted for the first time since the EndSARS report was leaked two weeks ago.
The governor lamented that the leakage of an unauthorized version of the report has reopened a deep wound, PM New reports.
Following the incident that took place at the Lekki Toll Gate on October 20, 2020, a panel was inaugurated to look into complaints of citizens against human rights abuses by the police.
Recall that the panel had submitted the report to the Lagos State government, in which it clearly stated that the Nigerian Army and police fired live bullets at peaceful protesters at the Lekki Tollgate.
Sanwo-Olu, in a statewide broadcast in Ikeja, Lagos, said while he commended the panel for undertaking its task to the best of its abilities, “it is however regrettable that the panel’s work and the leakage of an unauthorized version of the report have generated much tension. Sadly, a deep wound has been reopened.
“The heated exchanges among various shades of opinion on the report have unfortunately put us all at the risk of missing the larger picture, the fact that what we all seek in common is a land in which we are all safe and secure, law enforcement agents are trusted, and justice is guaranteed for all.
“We have no intention to engage in histrionics or further inflame passion on a matter that has generated intense interest and controversy nationally and internationally. Our decisions and actions will be based entirely on the law, the weight of evidence, and unblemished respect for the truth.”
Sanwo-Olu added that in times like these, with anger and animosity too quick and fast at hand, it is easy to hide behind own prejudices, treating them as deeper truths instead of the superficial lies they were.
He said it was far too easy to take sides and choose emotion over fact, even when the truth is to be found in shades of nuance.
“It is easy to choose darkness over light; to take perverse delight in playing unhelpful games of cynicism and suspicion; to cling to beliefs that do not carry the weight of verifiable evidence.
“To become a champion of prejudice is to own a fleeting and false victory. It is a victory of rancor over reason, of vengeance over justice, of anger over compassion. Today, I stand before you to declare that I reject this path; and I invite you all to do the same.
“The choice confronting us today is between restoring greater harmony or doing greater harm. I choose harmony over harm. As your Governor, it is my task to explain why all Lagosians should join me on this path that promises a more beneficial future.”
The governor said the state currently faced the hard choice of restoring harmony or doing itself great harm, urging residents to join his administration in strengthening harmony and putting the state on the path of peace.
However, Sanwo-Olu said the much-expected White Paper would be issued later in the day.
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