South East NASS Caucus Petitions IGP Over Anti-Igbo Slogan
The South East Caucus of the National Assembly has petitioned the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to arrest and prosecute individuals promoting the anti-Igbo slogan “#IgboMustGo” in the South West and across Nigeria.
The petition, signed by Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe and Hon. Igariwey Iduma Enwo, leaders of the South East Senate and House of Representatives Caucuses, respectively, was submitted to the IGP on Tuesday.
The lawmakers in the petition condemned a bigoted anti-Igbo tweet made on the 27th of July, released on X account of @Lagospedia, wherein Lagosians and every South West stakeholder were asked to prepare for a massive protest of “IgboMustGo on the 20th to 30th of August.
A statement yesterday from Abaribe’s Media Office in Abuja read: “In the petition signed by the Leader of South East Senate Caucus, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, and the leader of House of Representatives, Hon. Igariwey Iduma Enwo, submitted to the IGP at his Police Headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday, the South East federal lawmakers called the attention of the IGP to a bigoted anti-Igbo tweet made on the 27th of July released on X account of @Lagospedia, wherein Lagosians and every South West stakeholder were asked to prepare for massive protest of “IgboMustGo on the 20th to 30th of August.
“The tweet further gave Igbos in the South West one month to leave and relocate their business from all South West states and for all Yoruba’s living in the South East to return home.
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“The South East federal lawmakers therefore said that since this vile tweet was sent out and despite that the X account in question was deactivated on 3rd August, the social media has been awash by vitriol against the Igbos with several handles, including but not limited to the following joining the call for attacks against the Igbos: @GideonAdekusibe; @kultureklansman; @jackunle777; @adex_smithjr; @Waspapping_ have openly called for the killing and extermination of Ndi Igbo.
“The Group further reminded that as the ongoing nationwide protest continues, these anti-Igbo sentiments have led to a well ochestrated effort at pitching Ndi Igbo against Northerners by insinuating that the Igbos instigated the protests so that Northerners can destroy their homes.
“Similarly, the Joint South East Caucus noted that the tweet put out on 20th July, 2024 by Mr President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, @ aonanuga1956 where he claimed that the protests were being planned by OBIdient supporters of the presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 General Elections, Mr Peter Obi and the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
“It is on record that the call for the protest was initiated by a Yoruba man and that leaders of the South East had called on our people not to join the protest, hence the relative peace we are enjoying. In the region, as there were barely any protests.
The group noted that these calls for the extermination of Ndi Igbo are reminiscent of the anti-Igbo campaigns of the 1950s, which culminated in the bloody pogroms of 1966, which eventually led to an even bloodier civil war between 1967 and 1970.
“The joint South East Caucus stressed that Nigeria is home to all of us, and as we battle to keep this country on the track of growth and greatness, efforts must be made to ensure that every part of the country is given sense of belonging. Adding that this is only possible when the rights of people are protected by relevant government bodies.”
Hafsoh Isiaq is a graduate of Linguistics. An avid writer committed to creative, high-quality research and news reportage. She has considerable experience in writing and reporting across a variety of platforms including print and online.
