A former governor of Lagos State and National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu , says he didn’ t request security operatives to stop “ attackers” that razed The Nation Newspaper and Television Continental to avoid bloodshed.
He made this known in a statement on Sunday titled , ‘The # EndSARS protests ; a fundamental lesson in democratic governance ’.
Hoodlums had massively looted shops and set fire to several public and private properties, including Television Continental and The Nation newspaper , both of which have been linked to him.
This followed the shootings of some protesters at the Lekki toll gate plaza by soldiers .
While Tinubu confirmed that he is a financier of the media houses, he denied making money from the Lekki toll gate plaza .
He said , “ On the other hand , I am , indeed, a promoter and financial investor in the Nation newspaper and TVC . It was widely known and circulated through social media that certain malevolent elements were going to take advantage of the situation to attack the Nation newspaper facilities and TVC in Lagos .
“ The attackers came. Both facilities were significantly damaged . Although equipped with prior notice of the imminent trespass, I did not call anyone to seek or request for the army or police to deploy let alone attack , kill , or injure those who razed and vandalized these properties. I did not want any bloodshed.
“ These elements, mostly hirelings of my political opponents , wreaked their havoc and destroyed those buildings and facilities and I thank God that the employees of these two media institutions managed to escape largely unharmed .
“ There is a deeper truth involved here. Burned buildings and damaged equipment can be rebuilt or replaced . There is no adequate substitute for the loss of even a single human life . I am not one to encourage violence . I abhor it . Thus, I did nothing that might endanger lives , even the lives of those who destroyed my properties.
“ There is no rationale that can adequately explain why I would order soldiers to repel peaceful protesters from the toll gate where I have no financial interest , yet , choose to do nothing to protect my investments in the Nation and TVC .”