A full excerpt of the speech as delivered by Babatunde Raji Fashola on military occupation of Lagos state:
Dear Lagosians,
For the past few days, I have monitored the developments related to the public protest against the increase in the pump price of petrol.
During that period, I have at the invitation of my colleagues in the Governor’s Forum responded to an invitation from the Presidency.
My role since last Monday till date has been to find a ground of compromise that stabilizes the polity, protects our democracy and prevent any loss of lives.
Inspite of these efforts, we were not wholly successful in preventing the loss of the life of a young Nigerian, AdemolaAderinto who was sadly shot.
I am truly saddened by that ugly development. While I condole with his family, I pledge the commitment of our Government to bring the alleged perpetrator to justice.
I have decided to address you today in view of the very disquieting developments that occurred overnight especially the deployment of soldiers across Lagos.
I have the highest respect for members of our military, especially because they have made a contract with all of us that they will willingly lay down their lives whenever it becomes necessary to do so, in order to protect us.
This covenant is instructive, because soldiers did not sign up to stop us from expressing our grievance about things that we are displeased about.
It is not disputable that the citizens who have gathered in several parts of Lagos like Falomo, Ikorodu and Ojota to mention a few have largely conducted themselves peacefully, singing and dancing while they expressed their displeasure at the way that we have taken decisions that affect them.
That in my view should not offend those of us in Government. The majority of these people who represent diverse interests have not broken any law. If they have, it is my opinion that in a constitutional democracy, it is the police that hasthe responsibility for restoring law and order if civil protests threatens the breach of the peace.
This is not justification for sending out soldiers to a gathering of unarmed citizens. Every one of us, or at least majority of us who hold public office danced and sang before these same people when we were seeking their votes.
Why should we feel irritated when they sing and dance in protest against what we have done?
For me this is not a matter for the military. The sooner we rethink and rescind this decision the better and stronger our democracy will be.
If anything, this is a most welcome transformation of our democracy in the sense that it provokes a discussion of economic policies and this inevitably may result in political debate.
I therefore urge the reconsideration of the decision to deploy soldiers and implore the President and Commander-in-Chief to direct their withdrawal from our streets, I must also emphasize that the rights of free speech and protest is not absolute. They impose the duty not to break the law, breach the peace, endanger human life or destroy property whether public or private.
They also impose the duty to respect the rights of others not to support our protest and indeed to support what we oppose. At the end of the day, it is a contest of ideas in which the most persuasive will get the endorsement of the majority of the people we serve.
I am convinced that our democracy is mature enough to accommodate this. We must do our best to ensure that it does.
God bless you all.
BabatundeRajiFashola, SAN
Governor of Lagos State
Monday, January 16, 2012
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
27 comments:
I really appreciate BRF's statement. Why would soldiers be deployed here...was he consulted at all?
May God help us oooo
U r d best Gov. Raji Fashola. A true democrat. I jus pray nd hop dat President GEJ wil b wise enough 2 withdraw d soldiers frm d strt of Lagos cos dat wasn't wat he promised Lagosians wen he came 2 ask for their votes. As 4 u sir, may d Almighty God continue 2 endow u wit wisdom nd knowledge 2 tak Lagosian 2 d promise Land (Amen).
And d comments is coming after d strike has been called off? Why wasn't this statement done very early this morning so that people could have gathered and assembled to protest government's policy?
And come to think of it, is dis not the sme BRF who sent mobile policemen to arrest, harrass and scatter crowds who were gathered to protest the introduction of tolls on Lekki/Epe road?
Politicians are all the same!!!
Gov. Fashola too is an hypocrite,a pretender.
Governor Fashola is way ahead of his time. He clearly understand how democracy is meant to operate unlike Jonathan who has proved that he is a coward. If you cannot accept dissent then resign.
Have you forgotten the mobile police men sent by the Fashola led government so soon. I put it to you that I would rather have the whole of Lagos state policed by the decent, disciplined soldiers than the corrupt, trigger happy police men on our streets.
What did Fashola do when people protested the private imposition of a toll gate on a whole section of Lagos state. He should stop playing to the gallery and stop fooling gullible people. It is clear who is the Number 1 citizen of Lagos, and it is definitely not Fashola (the stooge)
BRF,why are Ɣ☺ΰ pretending as if Ɣ☺ΰ weren't part of τ̣̣ђё decision! Hδω come Ÿ̲Ơ̴̴̴̴͡uя speech came by noon after they've called off τ̣̣ђё Strike ! Where were Ɣ☺ΰ all thru last week ? Stop all this hypocrisy cos it won't take Ɣ☺ΰ anywhere? We know clearly that Ɣ☺ΰ are not with τ̣̣ђё masses!
We've left Ɣ☺ΰ aπϑ others that chose to oppress aπϑ make our lives miserable to God to judge accordingly.
This address came too late. Military personnel have been deployed since last night...
We deserve better treatment both state and federal level.
I want BRF 2 tell ♏ε̲̣̣̣̥ he was not aware of †ђξ fact that Soldiers will be Deployed into Areas in Lasgidi ? .. He himself Ȋ̝̊̅§ JƱڪτ̲̅ trying 2 make it look like he Ȋ̝̊̅§ Innocent .. I am JƱڪτ̲̅ Disappointed @ 2 Governors in Nigeria, Fashola n Oshiomole Edo State Gov.. Thought they would Fight our Course even in †ђξ Public , but they Ħª√ę JƱڪτ̲̅ Betrayed M̶̲̥̅Ɣ Trust Ãήϑ Loyalty .. All d̶̲̥̅̊ Governors are Silent 'cos of †ђξ Better Allocations 2 their States ...Fashola should pls make Schooling in Lasgidi affordable,@ least he enjoyed Free Education also b4 he Got 2 wherever he Ȋ̝̊̅§ now.. Jonathan Ȋ̝̊̅§ †ђξ Worst Leader that has ever Ruled Nigeria... T
Fuck this guy,,,he should have broadcasted this since 7am,not by 3,, hu Ȋ̝̊̅§ he decieving
Soldier's would be deployed to Lagos street cos †ђξ deal of that had been sealed since yesterday night in d meeting held btw †ђξ president and †ђξ governor's.They A̶̲̥̅̊я̲̣̣̥ε̲̣̣̣̥ all betrayers both Jonathan,Governors,Nlc because they A̶̲̥̅̊я̲̣̣̥ε̲̣̣̣̥ part of †ђξ cabal.some day GOD wȊ̝̊̅ℓℓ take charge of them,@ least abacha didn't die by gun it's warning for them.
Fashola u ve failed all lagosians απϑ we don't accept ur speech cos u're part of all ds y address us now should ve done that early u've all failed us but remember the God that passed abacha's judgement is also there to pass urs απϑ others. RIP fashola RIP GEJ
Anonymous
How on earth will military men be deployed to your streets and you as governor did not have prior info . Who is fooling who. Fashola we are not illiterates, stop the politics we are not in a campaign, you people should enjoy it while it last. God of the oppressed will judge even your fourth generation at the fullness of time.
Your Excellency, BFR.
May Ɣ☺u increase in wisdom. I don't understand why Ɣ☺u are not the president instead. Thank Ɣ☺u so much for your words.
But im surprised how it is possible that till now, Lagosians still don't understand why the military came in.
It's obvious that there was a pre-arrangement between NLC, TUC, GEJ and his people. They had agreed to call off the strike today. This morning. Stiking to 97 naira/l in constrast to the initial agreement between nigerians and the union, same reason why so many lost their lives and endangered themselves ; 65 naira/l or nothing.
At what price, none of us can say.
But in fear that resistance might be initiated in Lagos state over deciet by NLC and TUC, the frederal Govt had put in place military personels. To ensure no civilian is given d opportunity to express his/her disappointment/disagreement. At this rate, this nation is heading for a crash. While our leaders continue to enjoy their greed for an arabian oppulence at the expense of the masses.
But i believe we have initiated something big.
We have established that if we unit, we can achieve great things.
We have been able to establish the identity of the traitors in out midst. Those that will sell their destiny for as low as 10,000 naira.
God help us.
Y all dis..
Must we die for our right, our property, our joy, my mentor once said "Animal can't dash us human right"
Brf u no do well at all...
Na ur government worst pass.... I dey regret to have wasted my vote on u n goodluck. Enjoy urself.
I know for sure, u will become a follower one day again. Betrayals
Soilders too dey fly english everywhere
Deir mama, if no be God. I no mind to die becos I go fight anybody wey want disturb my progress. Bastards
SMDH...lagosian are so quick to forget.. THIS IS THE SAME BRF that unleashed RSS/mopo/police/THUGS on a very PEACEFUL protest at the lekki toll gate.beating up people, throwing tear gas. Abeggi joh. Who is this guy trying to deceive. Why is he playing stupid politics. We r not stupid
Lagosians/ Nigerians OPEN your eyes...m BRF is not the saint people think he is. Fine he has done well for lagos, but in terms of this letter he is not far off from GEJ. This is the same guy that called his unruly RSS/MOPO on the peaceful lekki toll gate protest, why is he now sending out this letter?? He is a HYPOCRITE. Trying to exonerate himself. BIG POT CALLING KETTLE BLACK!
I can't say more than Lord knows who's fooling who. But if these comments were really made by BRF, then he slightly bought me over. I chose the word slightly cos he also has his own scores to settle with Lagosians with the ABSURD increment in Lasu tuition fess.
My advice is we all try make the country a better place to live in for our unborn generation by addjusting positively in all works of life. May God Help Nigeria move to a GREATER height.
Kindly follow me on twitter @iamyesboss
Appreciate!
What an Irony. Fashola himself used the military/police on Lekki toll protesters. He is simply talking as an A C N person scared that GEJ can use the military in his state anytime without his knowledge. He should feel a bit of what we feel too.
Which stupid comment is he making now. Medicine after death.
You are all fools! How do u ever expect a person to always make u happy? Is he God? Even God says he can't satisfy us at all times. Now before u say shit about BRF why don't u weigh the good and bad and give a good assessment? Overall I think he is a valor and a success. And for those who ask if it is possible for the president to deploy soldiers in a state without the knowledge of the governor, do you know what C.I.C means? Commander in chief u fools.
Okiki olayinka for sensible youths
I will really appreciate BRF's statement.
And I will also appreciate the Lagosians in there supports for the Peaceful protests carried out during d strugg! To start with my on opion about this matter is that GEJ's really show us that he's not capable 2 lead us has a NOBLE leader! But 2 be a good leader, u have a listen Ears 2 ur people ... Moreover he's 2 stop playing us like a ball because we all lost faith in him! He knows d cabal , he dine with dem , he roll with dem and Encourage the corruption act! wht I see now Is the POOR masses are feeding on d Rich ones ! Soon poor nigerians will occupy their Yards one day! I pray for the Nation shall know Pace ...God bless Nigeria
Okiki olayinka you are THE FOOL.Voltron oshi. No one is saying Fashola hasnt done good but he should STOP playing politics or playing innocent. On 12/17/2011 Fashola called the RSS/mobile police and area thugs on innocent lekki residents who were out to have a PEACEFUL protest against toll imposition.they were beat up and tear gased.Now Please whats the difference btw what he did and what GEJ is doing madam voltron? Why is he writing that silly letter?? He hasnt done right and you know it!
Brt or Brf whatever dey call u ,ur speech is of no importance ,that's medicine after death,God will judge you all looters,the blood of the innocent citizens that died in this struggle will ask u and d other govt and Gej.....u all will pay for ur evil deeds,foolish leaders....longest hissssss!
BRF should have been at the helm of affairs of this nation!
He has what it takes to move the country and it's people forward to prosperity.
Fashola, i pray u find mercy before God for this insult on the intelligence of Lagosians.
Post a Comment