Peace Walk: Falz, Mr Macaroni, Dele Farotimi, Seun Kuti, Temitope Majekodunmi Reject Sanwo-Olu’s Invitation
Singer and activist Falz, comedian Mr Macaroni, singer Seun Kuti, lawyer Dele Farotimi and youth representative Temitope Majekodunmi have all rejected the invitation of Lagos state governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, to embark on a peace walk in the state.
Governor Sanwo-Olu had on Tuesday, November 30, announced plans to stage a peace walk with some #EndSARS protesters as part of measures to heal the state from the trauma of October 20, 2020, Lekki tollgate shooting.
The governor in his speech said;
In December, I will be leading A WALK FOR PEACE to herald the healing of our land. Let me use this occasion to extend an open invitation to our youths, members of the diplomatic corps, civil society groups, students and the media as well as other stakeholders to join me.
Specifically, the governor invited Folarin Falana (Falz), Debo Adebayo (Mr. Marcaroni), Dele Farotimi, Temitope Majekodunmi, Segun Awosanya (Segalink), Adedotun (Just Detoun), Seun Kuti, Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Odumosu and Commander of Rapid Response Squad (RRS), CSP Yinka Egbeyemi and others to join him in the “historic march for our dear Lagos.”
Sanwo-Olu said this while revealing that his government will release its White Paper on the report submitted by the EndSARS Judicial Panel of Inquiry on November 15, 2021.
Read Also: #EndSARS: Lagos Releases White Paper On Lekki Panel Report
Reacting to the invitation, Falz said the suggestion is a joke and a very disrespectful one.
This suggestion of a “walk for peace” sounds like a joke and a very disrespectful one at that.
People were murdered in cold blood and absolutely no iota of justice has been served more than a year after.
How can there be peace without justice ? #EndSARS— Bop Daddy (@falzthebahdguy) November 30, 2021
The musician says apart from the charade the governor is hoping to carry out through the walk, the state has no commitment to giving justice to the victims.
Falz added;
In this same speech, you said “To be a smart city, we first must be a just one”. Remember the young Nigerians that had their lives snatched away by weapons wielded by our own armed forces? You want to sweep that under the carpet? Is that how to establish a just city? #ENDSARS.
In this same speech, you said “To be a smart city, we first must be a just one”
Remember the young Nigerians that had their lives snatched away by weapons weilded by our own armed forces? You want to sweep that under the carpet ? Is that how to establish a just city? #ENDSARS— Bop Daddy (@falzthebahdguy) November 30, 2021
He also reiterated that police brutality and violation of rights persist across the state and the government pretends to be unaware.
Falz stated;
Young Nigerians, till today, are still being constantly harassed and extorted by police officers!! You were awfully quiet about that. Or are you not aware? #ENDSARS.
Young Nigerians, till today, are still being constantly harassed and extorted by police officers!! You were awfully quiet about that. Or are you not aware ? #ENDSARS
— Bop Daddy (@falzthebahdguy) November 30, 2021
View this post on Instagram
On his part, comedian Debo Adebayo, aka Mr Marcaroni also ‘humbly’ declined the invitation arguing that ‘genuine peacemaking will begin by first implementing the recommendations of the panel’.
Read Also: #OccupyLekkiTollGate: Police Arrest Comedian Mr Macaroni, Others (Video)
He expressed;
I humbly decline the Invitation of Mr Governor. The Government themselves set up a panel. The panel has made recommendations. I believe that genuine peacemaking will begin by first implementing the recommendations of the panel. Then we can begin to trust the government.
Dele took to his Facebook page to reject the invitation. Read what he wrote below..
Seun Kuti, son of Afro-beat legend, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti rejected Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s invite as well, noting that he doesn’t need to walk next to the Governor before there is peace in the state.
Seun Kuti further stated that the first step in bringing peace in the state is to ensure justice for all victims of police brutality and human rights abuses.
The singer insisted that the governor must ensure justice is served for victims of police brutality before peace walk.
“I want peace after justice,” he said on Channels Television’s ‘Politics Today’ programme, noting that;
I don’t need to walk next to the governor before there is peace in Lagos; there has been peace in Lagos before many years and nobody have to walk anywhere for it. If there is justice, then we can discuss peace. In fact, there will be no need to walk for peace because justice itself is the walk of peace. The governor should walk the walk he is talking about by giving us justice.
https://www.instagram.com/tv/CW6dw0MKGl3/?utm_medium=copy_link
Lawyer, Farotimi
I do not walk in the company of murderers…#Enikure🖐🏿🤬#LekkiMassacre
— Dele Farotimi #End1999Constitution (@DeleFarotimi) December 1, 2021
My humble submission!#NoJusticeNoPeaceWalk#EndSARS pic.twitter.com/rCS8KKnOYp
— Témìtópè Májèkòdùnmì Oanu-Davis (@TemiOanu) November 30, 2021
