The Lagos State Government, yesterday, accused members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of vandalising the Gani Fawehinmi Freedom Park at Ojota stating that they carted away some historical relics.

The state government said the facilities were destroyed during a campaign rally of the party at the park.

But in a swift reaction, the PDP described the allegation as cheap blackmail, noting that All Progressives Congress (APC) is desperate to retain Lagos.

The Commissioner for the Environment, Mr. Tunji Bello who disclosed this while conducting newsmen round the park at Ojota, condemned the act.

He lamented what he called the high level of destruction and vandalisation of monument and equipment built with tax payer’s money.

Bello noted that while, the state government is not against the use of the park by individuals he frowned against the wanton destruction of the landscaped that adorned the park.

He said: “A park is indeed different from an open space. We have a lot of open space across the state which they can use rather than destroy our lush green parks that has given the state a lot of public acclaim.  Nowhere in the world would you display such indecency and lack of respect to the people, where you publicly harass and chase away workers who maintain these parks.”

Speaking further, the commissioner said “similar act of impunity was also displayed by the PDP led government, through the clamp down on corporate advertisers in the state, where they removed paid adverts on street lamppost, billboards across the state. This is gross abuse of power and authority over the people you want to govern.”

The commissioner observed that restoring the landscaped site to its original state, will cost tax payers a lot.

“Lagosians are therefore advised to be wary of wolves in sheep clothing’s who by their acts take away peoples means of livelihoods and infringe on their rights and privileges, especially at this time when the election is near”, he said.

Allegation is cheap blackmail —Lagos PDP

In its reaction, the Lagos State chapter of the PDP absolved its members of vandalising the park.

Its state publicity secretary, Mr Taofik Gani said “the allegation is total blackmail and a confirmation of warnings to us that PDP that the APC is desperate and will take any step to retain Lagos because they see the PDP and its governorship candidate as a potential threat in the February elections. They lack populist and factual achievements. They have resorted to mudslinging, blackmail and attack on our persons.”