Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has refuted any association with individuals or social media handles promoting the hashtag #IgboMustGo on Twitter (now X), which calls for the expulsion of Southeastern Nigerians from the state.....CONTINUE READING THE ARTICLE FROM THE SOURCE
On Thursday, Gboyega Akosile, the governor’s media aide, declared that Sanwo-Olu and the Lagos State Government completely disassociate themselves from such “reckless, divisive, and dangerous rhetoric.”
He affirmed that Lagos remains a welcoming home for all Nigerian citizens, regardless of their ethnic background.
Akosile highlighted that the governor is urging security agencies to swiftly investigate and bring to justice the individuals behind the provocative social media handle.
Governor’s Statement
In an official statement, Akosile said: “The attention of Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has been drawn to a post by LagosPedia, a social media handle on X (formerly Twitter), that calls on the Igbo to vacate Lagos and the Southwest of Nigeria and brace for a massive protest under the hashtag #IgboMustGo from August 20th to 30th, 2024.
“The Governor of Lagos State and indeed, the Lagos State Government wish to distance themselves from the reckless, divisive, and dangerous rhetoric, reiterating that Lagos remains home to every Nigerian citizen regardless of their ethnic nationality.
“Governor Sanwo-Olu views the post as not only reckless and divisive but also as an attempt to sow discord between the Yoruba in the Southwest and other tribes, especially those who have made Lagos their permanent place of abode.
He appeals to Lagosians not to allow any person or group of individuals to create tensions in the state and calls on security agencies to promptly investigate those behind the handle and bring them to justice.”
Background
A post by an X user with the handle @Lagospedia has gone viral, calling for a protest demanding the evacuation of Igbos from Lagos, under the hashtag #IgboMustGo.
The user alleged that stakeholders in the state are planning a protest between August 20 and August 30, giving a one-month grace period for individuals and businesses from the Southeast to vacate the state.
The post has sparked widespread criticism and calls for the state government to investigate the individual behind the handle.
Former Vice President of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar, condemned the rhetoric, stating it endangers national peace and security. He emphasized that the Nigerian Constitution guarantees every citizen the right to live and work freely anywhere in the country.
“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 Southwest states, is deeply troubling and fundamentally opposed to the principles of unity and coexistence that define our nation.
Such rhetoric is divisive and endangers our peace and security, as our Constitution guarantees every Nigerian the right to live and work freely anywhere in the country,” Atiku stated.
He urged the federal government to investigate the matter thoroughly and hold the individual accountable for the post.
