The Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, temporarily suspended his re-election campaign for the governorship after an accident involving a bus and a train occurred on Thursday, March 9th.
The bus was transporting government employees to work when the accident occurred. According to the secretary of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, Olufemi Oke-Osanyitolu, the accident was caused by the driver of the bus who ignored the traffic signal, resulting in the deaths of six people and the injuries of several others.
“Lagos is in a state of mourning and for the next 3 days, I am suspending all campaign activities. All flags will be flown at half-mast and tomorrow all civil servants will work till 12 noon before returning home to be with their loved ones during this trying time,” Governor Sanwo-Olu wrote on Twitter. “It is still a critical period for some of the patients as we continue to call for blood donations across different state government medical facilities.”
Nigeria’s outgoing President Muhammadu Buhari released a statement about the accident. “The accident at the level crossing involving a train and BRT staff bus is distressing and extremely sad. I pray for the souls of the deceased and quick recovery of the injured,” Buhari said.
Accidents are a common occurrence in Nigerian cities. Some of these accidents occur due to neglected infrastructure and poor roads riddled with potholes, making them unsafe for vehicles to use.
The matter of accidents involving trains and motor vehicles has become prevalent because of drivers ignoring road and traffic signs. The bus driver who caused the above-mentioned accident ignored traffic signs in an attempt to beat the train at its crossing.
Nigeria recently went to the polls and elected a new president. Bola Tinubu, historically seen as a political godfather who funded and supported many political campaigns for others, decided it was his turn to step forward and lead the West African nation. However, the election was marred with allegations of manipulation and for not being completely free and fair. This led to the postponement of the governor’s election which was scheduled to take place on Saturday, March 11, with the Nigerian electoral body, INEC, claiming the electronic voting system had to be reset.
