IGBO Must GO: After Call For All Igbos To Vacate Lagos And Southwest, Sanwo- Olu Issues Strong Message; See Details
Governor Babajide Sanwo- Olu of Lagos State has denounced a post made by the X account @Lagospedia, which urged the Igbo community to leave Lagos and the South- West region. The post, dated July 27, 2024, encouraged Lagosians to prepare for a large- scale #IgboMustGo protest scheduled from August 20 to 30, 2024, sparking widespread controversy on social media.
In a statement released late Thursday, Sanwo- Olu’ s media aide, Gboyega Akosile, emphasized that the governor and the Lagos State Government ” wish to distance themselves from the reckless, divisive, and dangerous rhetoric, ” affirming that Lagos is a home for all Nigerian citizens, regardless of ethnic background.
According to Akosile, Sanwo- Olu perceives the post as not only reckless and divisive but also as an attempt to sow discord between the Yoruba in the South- West and other ethnic groups, particularly those who have made Lagos their permanent residence.
” The governor urges Lagosians not to allow any individual or group to create tension in the state, ” Akosile stated, calling on security agencies to swiftly investigate the account’ s operators and bring them to justice.
” Mr. Governor urges Lagosians to ignore the post and any similar messages, pledging to intensify his efforts to ensure lasting peace in the state, ” Akosile stated. He reassured residents that the government remains committed to fostering unity and harmony among all ethnic groups in Lagos, emphasizing that any attempt to incite violence or division will not be tolerated.
This statement from the governor comes just hours after Atiku Abubakar, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, urged the Federal Government to investigate and take action against those responsible for promoting the ” IgboMustGo” hashtag on X. In a post on his verified Facebook page on Thursday, the former Vice President condemned the hashtag as divisive, labeling it a direct threat to the nation’ s peace and security.
Atiku emphasized the importance of maintaining Nigeria’ s unity and called on leaders across the country to denounce such inflammatory rhetoric. ” We must work together to build a nation where every citizen feels secure and valued, regardless of their ethnicity or background, ” he wrote.
Both Governor Sanwo- Olu and Atiku Abubakar’ s remarks underscore the broader commitment to counter divisive narratives and promote inclusivity. Their calls for action highlight the need for vigilance against those who seek to exploit ethnic tensions for personal or political gain.
The governor has also announced plans to collaborate with community leaders and stakeholders to reinforce peaceful coexistence in Lagos. Initiatives aimed at promoting dialogue and mutual understanding among different ethnic groups are in the works, reflecting the administration’ s dedication to fostering an environment of respect and tolerance.
” The recent call on X (formerly Twitter) for a protest under the hashtag #IgboMustGo, demanding the forced relocation of Igbo people from Lagos and other South- West states, is deeply troubling and fundamentally opposed to the principles of unity and coexistence that define our nation. Such rhetoric is not only divisive but also endangers our peace and security, as our Constitution guarantees every Nigerian the right to live and work freely anywhere in the country, ” Atiku’ s post partly read.
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