Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has anounced the suspension of the planned peace walk following the discovery of the Omicron variant in the country.
The governor announced this on Thursday in a statement.
TheFact Nigeria reports that Sanwo-Olu had earlier announced the “Walk for Peace” which was meant to reunite the state following the release of #EndSARS panel report on the Lekki tollgate shooting incident.
The governor invited youth representatives like Folarin Falana (Falz), Debo Adebayo (Mr Macaroni), Dele Farotimi, Segun Awosanya, Seun Kuti, Adedotun (Just Detoun) and other participants. They rejected the invitation, saying there must be justice for EndSARS victims before peace.
However, some associations and student bodies expressed interest to walk with the governor.
According to the governor, “Between Tuesday 30, November 2021 that I made my address and now, we have seen a significant rise in cases associated with the Omicron variant of this pandemic.
“Given this development, I am constrained to stand down all preparations for the Walk for Peace. I will not endanger the life of any Lagosian in my sincere search for peace.
“I have been inundated with deep expressions of solidarity from various groups and people declaring their readiness to join me on the symbolic walk.
“When the unseen enemy called Covid-19 began to ravage the world and indeed our nation, I assumed the role of the Incident Commander in our quest to protect the lives of our people. We subjected ourselves to the dictates of science.
“We chose to be guided not by our emotions, but expert opinions rooted in science. Between Tuesday 30, November 2021 that I made my address and now, we have seen a significant rise in cases associated with the Omicron variant of this pandemic.
“Given this development, I am constrained to stand down all preparations for the Walk for Peace. I will not endanger the life of any Lagosian in my sincere search for peace.
“I am overwhelmed by the outpouring of support the initiative received from far and near. The deluge of support is, however, indicative of one thing: our people know the strategic place of peace to our quest for development,” he said.
