Benjamin Omoike l Thursday, Feb. 28, 2019
LAGOS, Nigeria – A large crowd comprising members of the Lagos state civil service and some other supporters of the All Progressives Congress, APC today at the Adeyemi Bero Auditorium premises within the Alausa Secretariat in Ikeja, gathered to receive bags of rice purportedly provided by the gubernatorial candidate of the party, Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
Sanwo-Ou, along with his team, had, as part of his campaign and sensitisation drive, stormed the Lagos State Secretariat to address the civil servants. Among other things, he promised to pay above the N30,000 minimum wage for workers earlier agreed upon between the Federal Government and Labour, if voted in as governor.
The high point of the event, it appeared though, was the sharing of 12kg bags of rice – with Sanwo-Olu’s picture inscribed – to those present at the rally. Things almost got out of hands as many rushed to receive their bags of rice. It is alleged that some people even sustained various degrees of injuries in the confusion that ensued.
As more ‘outsiders’ trooped into the Secretariat to benefit from the largesse, policemen on duty, who were already having a torrid time controlling the crowd, and sensing that the situation could become uncontrollable, had to lock the two gates leading into Adeyemi Bero Auditorium.
They had to appeal to the crowd to comport themselves and be orderly by forming straight lines before the sharing of the bags of rice could continue. Those present remained undaunted as they waited to collect their bags of rice. On the other hand, those who were willing to leave, were trapped temporarily within the premises as the police refused to open the gates for fear of a pandemonium.
