Lagos State governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, on Monday returned the ThisDay Governor of the Year Award for distinction in infrastructural development conferred on him in February to its organisers.

Sources close to the Governor’s Office in Alausa said the action came in the aftermath of the recent publications in the ThisDay, title in the stable of Leaders and Company, designed to force the government to violate its physical planning laws to serve the interest of an individual.

According to a letter, with the title: “Return of Award,” which was personally signed by Governor Fashola, a copy of which the Nigerian Tribune obtained, the ThisDay awards was a Greek gift meant to tie the hands of the state’s helmsman.

“Little did I know, on receipt of the award, that it was a Greek gift meant to tie my hands and prevent me from upholding my oath of office, to do right to all manner of people according to law without fear or favour, affection or ill-will,” the letter read.

The governor also restated his determination to continue to hold sacred the oath of his office.

He declared in the letter: “Let me emphasise that on no condition will I depart from my binding commitment to protect the best interest of Lagos State at all times.”

Meanwhile, the state government yesterday defended its integrity, pointing out that recent publications of the newspaper casting aspersion on its character were borne out of malice, mischief and parochial self-interest.

Mr. Opeyemi Bamidele, the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, told journalists in Lagos that contrary to insinuations by ThisDay, the state government strictly follows due process and transparency in the award of all contracts.