By X handle
After four days of #IgboMustGo campaign trending on the X (formerly Twitter) handle, Atiku Abubakar, former Vice President and Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, have come hard on the promoters and organizers of the campaign.
The campaign which trended on Tuesday on X handle indicated that citizens of all South-Eastern states, must vacate Lagos State, or face massive protests slated to hold from August 20-30, 2024.
A pro-Lagos X account, @lagospedia has been promoting the hashtag for over 72 hours.
Social media users have revealed that one Ifeoluwa Bolaji from Ikorodu is behind the account.
Atiku strongly condemned the recent social media campaign under the hashtag #IgboMustGo, which demands the forced relocation of Igbo people from Lagos and other Southwest states.
In a statement shared on X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday, Atiku stated that such divisive rhetoric poses to national unity and security.
Describing the call as “deeply troubling” and fundamentally opposed to Nigeria’s principles of unity and coexistence, Atiku stated that the constitutional right of every Nigerian to live and work freely anywhere in the country.
He drew parallels with historical events, citing Rwanda’s tragic experiences as a cautionary tale against allowing hatred and bigotry to escalate.
“The rhetoric of #IgboMustGo is not only divisive but also endangers our peace and security.
“We must learn from history and act decisively to prevent such dangerous ideologies from taking root,” he said.
He urged the Nigerian government and relevant authorities to take immediate and decisive action against those inciting ethnic hatred and division.
Atiku called for investigations, arrests, and prosecutions of individuals promoting ethnic discrimination and violence, stressing that the rule of law must prevail.
“Lagos and the Southwest have long been melting pots of cultures, where individuals from various backgrounds contribute to our collective growth and development.
“The Igbo community, along with all other ethnic groups, is an integral part of this vibrant mosaic,” he noted.
He expressed alarm at the lack of response from authorities, five days after the threat emerged, and called for urgent action to address the situation.
His words: “Immediate action to arrest, investigate and prosecute those behind this agenda is crucial.
“This will serve as a deterrent to others who might consider pursuing similar paths that threaten our national security.”
Meanwhile, the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has called on the public to ignore the viral threat on social media X, demanding Igbo citizens to leave Lagos State in the next one month.
The faceless group promoting the #IgboMustGo campaign, also instructed all South-West citizens in the South-Eastern part of the country, to come back to the region.
However, a swift reaction by Sanwo-Olu on Friday, said the Lagos State government is not in support of the proposed protest.
The governor’s stance comes following call by a former presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 general election, Abubakar Atiku, for the Federal Government to investigate, arrest and prosecute promoters of the #IgboMustGo protest.
Sanwo Olu wrote, “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 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 then appealed to Lagosians not to allow any person or group of individuals to create tensions in the state.
He called 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,’ the statement added.
