Sanwo-Olu suspends campaigns, announces 3-day mourning after train accident

On Thursday, March 9, 2023, Lagos state governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, announced suspension of his re-election campaigns after a tragic train accident that resulted in the loss of lives of state government workers. The incident occurred when a train collided with a state government staff bus at Ikeja, while the bus was crossing the rail track to link Ikeja GRA. Six people have, however, been confirmed dead, and several others sustained varying degrees of injuries.

As a mark of respect and sympathy, the governor directed the heads of service to declare a half-day work on Friday, March 10, 2023, and has declared three days of mourning. During this period, officials of the state will visit the families of the deceased and offer their condolences. The governor has also ordered that the Lagos State flag be flown at half-mast in honor of the victims, and his campaign will be suspended during the mourning period.

Governor Sanwo-Olu also expressed his gratitude to his political rivals, the governorship candidates of the Labour Party and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Gbadebo Rhodes Vivour and Abdul-Azeez Adediran, for their support and solidarity during this difficult time. He praised them for not politicizing the incident.

The Federal Government has also ordered an investigation into the accident through the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB).