Coordinated attacks in Lagos were attempts to weaken the region’s economy – S/West governors

Governors of the South-West states have pledged their supports to their Lagos State counterpart, as they described the coordinated attacks in the state as an attempt to weaken the region’s economy.

This was disclosed by the Chief Press Secretary of the state, Gboyega Akosile, during the visits of the Governors and the Federal Executive Council members from SouthWest to the public assets and private properties destroyed in last Wednesday’s arson in the state.

He tweeted, “Shock! This was the expression on the faces of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) members from Southwest and Governors as they toured the public assets and private properties destroyed in Wednesday’s coordinated arson in Lagos State.

The delegation of Governors and Ministers was personally received by Sanwo-Olu at the State House in Marina, where the Lagos helmsman showed them the pictorial evidence of the violence before visiting some of the torched assets – Lagos High Court, Nigeria Port Authority building and Forensic Lab.

Many sighed endlessly; others were simply shaking their heads.

Some brought their phones and took photographs of the “scene of war”.

At a joint press conference held after the tour, the Chairman of the South West Governors’ Forum and Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN), likened Lagos to a war zone, given the extent of the destruction.

Akeredolu said the violence that resulted from the #EndSARS protest left much to be desired, stressing that there was an agenda beyond the youth demonstration against police brutality.

He said: “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.”

The Governors also condemned the “sacrilegious” attack on the palace of the Oba of Lagos and decried what they called “vile attack” on the All Progressives Congress National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and businesses in which he has interest.

Akeredolu said 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.

The Governors applauded Sanwo-Olu for his patience and the manner with which he handled the situation.

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

Akeredolu said: “We commend Governor Sanwo-Olu for his administrative acumen.

“We note his patience and understanding in the face of unwarranted provocation by agents of darkness.

“We stand resolutely with him at this trying period.

“We urged our youths to rise up and defend our land against diabolical incursion ravaging our space.

“We cannot continue to fold our hands and watch our heritage destroyed.”