Governor Sanwo-Olu Suspends Senior Special Assistant Over Controversial Social Media Post
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has suspended his Senior Special Assistant on Print Media, Mr. Wale Ajetunmobi, following a controversial post on his personal X (formerly Twitter) account. The announcement came via a statement issued on Tuesday by the governor’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Gboyega Akosile.
The statement, titled “Governor Sanwo-Olu Suspends Aide,” emphasized that the suspension was a consequence of Ajetunmobi’s “misrepresentation of facts” regarding a past incident. Akosile underscored the administration’s commitment to justice, stating, “The Sanwo-Olu-led 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 Controversy
Ajetunmobi, who tweets as #Riddwane, came under scrutiny after a report by Premium Times on Sunday, November 24, 2024, highlighted a now-deleted post. In the tweet, he claimed that arsonists responsible for the 2020 burning of Television Continental (TVC) during the #EndSARS protests had been “hunted down and executed.”
The post further alleged that one of the individuals, a young boy from the Ketu area who traded in cooking gas, was found with an AK-47 rifle at the site of the incident. His tweet read:
“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. One of them, a young boy trading in cooking gas around Ketu, was found with an AK-47 at the site. Even his neighbours were shocked. But the full gist is better saved for later.”
Public Reaction and Further Clarification
The post sparked widespread criticism, with many accusing Ajetunmobi of endorsing extra-judicial killings. One X user, tweeting as #hamoye4real, questioned him: “Are you in the know of extra-judicial killings?” In response, Ajetunmobi dismissed the notion, explaining that some of the alleged arsonists were killed during exchanges of gunfire with soldiers, while others fled.
On Tuesday, Ajetunmobi issued a clarification, acknowledging that the word “executed” was “erroneously used” and reaffirming that his post represented his personal opinion, not the views of the Lagos State Government. He wrote:
“This excerpt was quoted out of context… no extra-judicial killing was insinuated. The word ‘executed’ was erroneously used and not intended in the context of that casual conversation.”
Government’s Stance
The governor’s swift action reflects his administration’s zero-tolerance policy for actions or statements that undermine justice or misrepresent the government’s values. By suspending Ajetunmobi, Governor Sanwo-Olu sends a strong message about accountability and the importance of ethical conduct, especially for public officials.
The incident highlights the delicate balance between freedom of expression and the responsibilities of public servants in an era of rapid social media communication. It also underscores the lasting sensitivity surrounding the #EndSARS protests and their impact on Nigerian society.
