Sanwo-Olu Suspends Aide Over Controversial Remarks

Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has suspended his Senior Special Assistant on Print Media, Wale Ajetunmobi, over controversial statements made on his personal X (formerly Twitter) account regarding the 2020 #EndSARS protests.

The suspension was announced on Tuesday in a statement by Gboyega Akosile, the governor’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity. Akosile cited Ajetunmobi’s “misrepresentation of facts” as the reason for the action.

In a now-deleted post dated November 23, Ajetunmobi alleged that individuals responsible for the arson of a media outlet during the #EndSARS protests had been “hunted down and executed.” He wrote, “The full story of people who burnt down TVC in 2020 will be told one day, with gory clips and images. One thing to note: majority of them have been hunted down and executed.”

Ajetunmobi further claimed that one of the suspects, described as a young gas trader in Ketu, was found armed at the scene. When asked to clarify his remarks, he responded, Lol… you want to create a narrative in your head. What is extrajudicial killing here? Some of the people were chased by soldiers, and an exchange of fire occurred. Then arsonists were overpowered and killed in the process. Others ran away. Is that an extra-judicial killing to you?

‘This Is Not Who We Are’
Reacting to the controversy, Akosile emphasized that the Sanwo-Olu administration strongly opposes any form of extrajudicial action.

Governor Sanwo-Olu wishes to state categorically that his administration frowns at any form of extra-judicial punishment and will not be a part of any such action. That is not who we are. That is not our way,”* the statement read.