Lagos govt distances self from calls for Igbo to vacate Southwest
By Jeffrey Agbo
Lagos State Government has washed its hands off a call for the Igbo people to vacate the state and other Southwest states.
An X page known as Lagospedia made the controversial call in a post on July 27 ahead of the nationwide protests against hunger.
The post read, “Lagosians and every southwest stakeholders should prepare for the massive protest of #IgboMustGo on the 20th – 30th of August.
“They have 1 month from now to leave and relocate their business from all S’West states. We urged all Yorubas living in the S’East to return home.”
Gboyega Akosile, Special Adviser, Media and Publicity to Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, said in a statement on Thursday that the government has no hand in it, adding that it is a reckless and divisive call.
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“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 Southwest of Nigeria and brace up for a massive hashtag #IgboMustGo protest from 20th to 30th August, 2024,” the statement said.
“The Governor of Lagos State and indeed, Lagos State Government wish to distance themselves from the reckless, divisive and dangerous rhetoric, saying 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 an attempt to sow a seed of discord between the Yoruba in the Southwest and other tribes, especially those who have made Lagos their permanent place of abode.
“The Governor appeals to Lagosians not to allow any person or group of individuals to create tensions in the State, calling on the security agencies to promptly investigate those behind the handle and bring them to justice.
“Mr. Governor enjoins Lagosians to ignore the post and any post of that nature, promising to double his efforts towards ensuring lasting peace in the State.”