The Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has cancelled the peace walk that was meant to herald the healing of the state.

Sanwo-Olu had invited a few celebrities, youths, civil society organizations and the media to join him in the peace walk.

A few people publicly turned down the invitation, despite the governor saying it will signal a new beginning for the state.

Speaking at a press briefing on Thursday, Sanwo-Olu explained that the peace walk was cancelled due to the rise in cases of the Omicron COVID-19 variant.

We chose to be guided not by our emotions, but expert opinions rooted in science. Between Tuesday 30, November 2021 that I made my address, and now, we have seen a significant rise in cases associated with the Omicron variant of this pandemic.

Given this development, I am constrained to stand down all preparations for the walk for peace. I will not endanger the life of any Lagosian in my sincere search for peace,” he said.

Sanwo-Olu added that he is “overwhelmed by the outpouring of support the initiative received from far and near. The deluge of support is, however, indicative of one thing: our people know the strategic place of peace to our quest for development.”