30th March, 2015
Kazeem Ugbodaga
Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State has denied asking workers in the state’s public service to go home over rumour of violence.
Thousands of civil servants fled the Secretariat on Monday following rumour that Fashola ordered them to go home to avert a purported violence from the opposition party.
“I didn’t issue the statement. I must commend residents of Lagos for comporting themselves peacefully to perform their civic responsibility. And in almost eight years, I have never issued a directive as far as government work is concerned by social media.
“Things like work free day, security issues have never been issued by me through social media. Rather we have always resorted to making broadcast in person or I ask the Head of Service to issue circular, or I ask the Commissioner for information and strategy to make announcement of the state broadcast stations,” he said while reacting to the development.
According to Fashola “That will not change. At this time, there is understandably some anxiety in the country. So people must know that nothing will change. They must ignore stories emanating from our government through social Media.
“They will be issued in the traditional ways-radio, television or through press statement. It is very possible for the social media to pick it from these medium. It is unfortunate that some people at this time tried to create tension for whatever reasons known to them.”
He said at this time, residents of Lagos should be happy that the first hurdle had been crossed which is the voting exercise, adding that the next process which is counting and collating of the results.
“People should remain calm. There is no incident of insecurity in the state. The state is safe. Residents should go about their lawful business; there is no cause to fear,” he said.