Attacks: I’ll not be intimidated, says Lagos PDP gov candidate

*As Sanwo-Olu talks tough against violence

THE Governorship Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Lagos State, Dr Olajide Adediran,  popularly called Jandor, has expressed concern over alleged attacks  on his team  

by thugs during campaign tours in parts of the state, vowing not to be intimidated by the acts.

The PDP governorship candidate, however, urged President Muhamnadu Buhari and Inspector General of Police, IGP, Usman Akali Baba to live up to ensure  a crisis-free campaign in the state.

Addressing newsmen over the continued attacks on his campaign team, he vowed to continue with his ward to ward campaign ahead of the general elections without succumbing to any form of intimidation, threat and harassment.

His words: “He (Sanwo-Olu) should allow residents decide who they want to rule them in the forthcoming governorship poll.

“On my part, I will continue to do everything within the confine of law to do our campaign.

“It is about time the sitting governor allows the people of Lagos to have their choice of who they want as their governor in a democratic manner.

“I want to commend the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, he has been there to arrest the ugly situation on ground.

“But we cannot but call on President Buhari and the Inspector-General of Police to live up to expectation and their responsibilities to let us do our campaigns in Lagos without any form of attacks.”

On the series of attacks allegedly unleashed  on his campaign train across the state, he dissociated himself from the  crisis.

He said: “The first day in Surulere was okay for us. On the second day, I was in the mosque to pray, and as I stepped out of the mosque, I heard the attackers asking: where is Jandor, where is Jandor? They hijacked our vehicles and damaged them. The ruling party was only turning things around.”

On the governorship boycotted by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the PDP candidate said: “This speaks volume of Governor Sanwo-Olu as Chief Security Officer of the state as he cannot guarantee his own safety.

“It just worries me that the Chief Security Officer of a state is saying he is not safe, I am safe and I will go everywhere in Lagos.

“The debate wasn’t put together for me or Sanwo-Olu, it is for people of Lagos State. I will go, he has given me role of big brother to play. I will go because I want people of Lagos to listen to me and know what I want to offer. This 2023, they wouldn’t come again.”

Sanwo-Olu talks tough against violence

But reacting to the crisis that erupted in the Surulere area of the state, the Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, said the state government will never condone violence

Omotoso, in a statement, said: “The Lagos State Government has noted the flood of comments sparked by the shocking video of a group of thugs shooting in broad daylight in Surulere.

“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 PDP.

  “We condemn 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.

“We will never be found in the company of those to whom the lives of innocent Lagosians mean nothing. Sanwo-Olu won’t share a podium with them.”