The Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, has faulted the #IgboMustGo hashtag on X (formerly Twitter) calling for a protest to force Igbo people out of Lagos and other South-West states.
The post by LagosPedia on X enjoined Igbos to prepare for the #IgboMustGo protest from August 20 to August 30, 2024.
The post stated that the Igbo people had one month to relocate their businesses from the South-West region of Nigeria and called on all Yoruba people in the South-East to return home.
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu later condemned the post, saying that “Lagos remains home to every Nigerian citizen regardless of their ethnic nationality”.
However, Obi, in his reaction via a statement on Friday, August 2, 2024, described the post as “genocidal threats” against the Igbo tribe, saying it also threatens Nigeria’s unity.
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The former governor of Anambra State further called for the immediate arrest and prosecution of the instigators of the “disturbing” post.
Obi stated: “I have read genocidal threats on X against the Igbo tribe, calling for their relocation. Let me pointedly warn that such rhetoric threatens our unity and is fundamentally opposed to our Constitution, which guarantees every Nigerian the right to live and work freely anywhere in the country. Those in authority must show leadership and urgently speak out against such divisive rhetoric.
“Immediate action should be taken to investigate, arrest, and prosecute those behind this heinous agenda, serving as a deterrent to others who might consider pursuing similar paths that threaten our national security and unity.
“I urge all Nigerians to stand united against this divisive rhetoric and to champion unity, tolerance, and understanding. Our future depends on our ability to live and work together harmoniously.
“The government and security agencies must act swiftly to protect this fundamental principle and ensure that every Nigerian can live free from fear of discrimination or persecution. We must not allow our present challenges to drive wedges among us.
“We can only overcome our national challenges if we act together as one people United under God.”
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