Nigerian entertainers Folarin Falana popularly known as Falz and Debo Adebayo aka Mr Marcaroni have rejected the invite by the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, to join him in a peace walk scheduled to hold in December.
The Governor had invited EndSARS front runners in a speech on Tuesday ahead of the release of the white paper on the report #EndSARS panel which also probe alleged Lekki shootings of October 20, 2020.
The governor 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.”
Falz, Macaroni, Dele Farotimi, Temitope Majekodunmi, Segun Awosanya (Segalink), Adedotun (Just Detoun), Seun Kuti; Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Odumosu; and Commander of Rapid Response Squad CSP Yinka Egbeyemi and others were among the names the governor called to join him in the “historic march for our dear Lagos.”
Sanwo-Olu also said his government would release its White Paper on the report submitted by the EndSARS Judicial Panel of Inquiry on November 15, 2021.
He said, “As an administration, we are determined that the next steps that will be taken in this process of coming to terms with the events of October 2020, must bring closure to a painful episode in the history of our state, with the release of the White Paper later today.”
Reacting to the invitation, Adebayo, Mr Macaroni said he was not ready for any walk, adding that any genuine peacemaking will begin by first implementing the recommendations of the panel.
“I humbly decline the Invitation of Mr Governor. The Government itself 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.
“Finally, I’m not at war with anyone. Not with the government, police or politicians. All we are asking is that our leaders place value on our lives as citizens and lead us with love, fairness, truth and justice, to enable all Nigerians live a better life in peace and unity,” he wrote.
Mr Governor has said it in his speech. That to be a center of Excellence, we have to be a Center of Truth. Before there can be healing, the government has to be sincere. There must be acceptance of wrongdoings and willingness to correct them.
— DeboMacaroni (@mrmacaronii) November 30, 2021
The last walk wey I do, na so dem bundle me, strip me naked, brutalize and dehumanize me. I no carry gun, I no carry weapon.
As dem dey beat me, dem dey ask why I dey disturb Mr Governor.
Now dem say make I come do walk. For another round of beating??
— DeboMacaroni (@mrmacaronii) November 30, 2021
Finally, I’m not at war with anyone. Not with the Government, police or politicians. All we are asking is that our leaders place value on our lives as citizens and lead us with love, fairness, truth and justice, to enable all Nigerians live a better life in peace and unity.
— DeboMacaroni (@mrmacaronii) November 30, 2021
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.
— DeboMacaroni (@mrmacaronii) November 30, 2021
On his part, younger Falana, on his Twitter page described the peace walk as a “joke”, insisting that justice must be served for all victims of police brutality.
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
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
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
Also reacting, embattled DJ Switch call on the Governor to resign and face the consequences of his actions which led to the killings of peaceful protesters.
She tweeted; “@jidesanwoolu where are u walking to?The first step u should be taking is 2 order the prosecution & incarceration of all the players involved in killing innocent people.
”Ur next step is to resign!(But lack of leadership won’t let u).Then ur final steps should be 2 jail! #EndSARS.”
@jidesanwoolu where are u walking to?The first step u should be taking is 2 order the prosecution & incarceration of all the players involved in killing innocent people. Ur next step is to resign!(But lack of leadership won’t let u).Then ur final steps should be 2 jail! #EndSARS
— Dj Switch (@dj_switchaholic)
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