‘Wimpy’ Sanwo-Olu roasted on Twitter
Angry Twitter supporters of Lagos state’s Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu censured him for being allegedly weak toward critics to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). One of them even called for him to be impeached while his supposedly strong-willed deputy, Obafemi Hamzat, steps in.
Governor Sanwo-Olu topped Nigerian Twitter trends on Tuesday after his a slew of his supporters accused him of giving employment to a known critic, identified as Sonia Somaga. The young Somaga, said to be a graduate from the Abia State University and a native of Anambra, works as a train driver with the Lagos-owned Blue Line train services.
Commenting under the handle, @olusogaowoeye, a supporter Olusoga Owoeye said, “The audacity is mind boggling. You mean we hired a member of a sleeper cell to drive a multi-billion infrastructure in Lagos? I will actually suggest that @djswitch be hired as a Signal Officer and make Simon Ekpa the Station Manager.”
Another supporter, Rotimi Adeosun, using @adeosunm, similarly said, “I honestly can’t fathom the idea of empowering non-indigenes, while sidelining your own indigenes in an history-making project like this, in the name of the politics of inclusiveness! The recent election experience should be instructive enough to Lagos State.”
On her part, a user Obirin Akanse commenting under the handle @blockofbuilder wondered why Yoruba leaders fail to support their own natives. “Many highly qualified Yoruba in Lagos are unemployed and currently working as an Agbero, why is it that the govt who recently thanked Eko in Yoruba did not have a system in place that will rehabilitate current Agbero to take this job and give them upward mobility?”
Shakiru Aderonmu also took a swipe at Sanwo-Olu for the hire whom he accused of opposing the party in the last elections. He believes some thing is “wrong” witht the Lagos state (govt.) leaving their indigene and choosing outsider that will never appreciate your effort at the end.”
But Sega, who had sat on the Lagos EndSARS inquiry panel, vented a moderate view. He tweeted, “…She remains a Nigerian with constitutionally protected rights to support anyone she likes in any given election. Her applying for a job in Lagos state having campaigned against the administration or the party, and getting employed demonstrates how full-proof the spirit of tolerance and nationalism, the @followlasgGovernment has continued to implement. This is in order to maintain the culture of welcoming the best of talents, competency and capacities regardless of diversity.”
TheCornet contacted Gboyega Akosile, the press secretary to the governor, who ignored request for a comment on the story. However, Jubril Gawat, senior special assistant (SSA) on new media to Governor Sanwo-Olu, denied Somaga works for the Lagos State Transport Management Authority.
“She doesn’t work with LAMATA tho, just for clarity, But concerns seen and noted,” Gawat stated in response to a censorious tweet by one Niyi Ooye. Gawat said, rather, the Chinese rail contractor, CCECC employed Somaga.
- Story By Babajide Ade
