The presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 general elections in Nigeria has confirmed the call for genocide against the Igbo living in Lagos and another southwestern state in the country.
In a condemnation message on his social media handles on Friday, the Anambara state-born politician noted that the messages sent by the individuals are disturbing and threaten the country’s unity.
He noted that the government should urgently arrest all individuals associated with the messages. An arrest and subsequent persecution of these individuals would serve as a person for all individuals associated with the heinous crime.
The former Anambra state governor noted that such messages threaten the unity of the country and oppose its constitution, which guarantees every citizen the right to settle and work in any part of the country. He charged those in authority to sand against such messages and speak against them.
Obi charged the citizens with being positive and remaining united and noted that Nigerians’ ability to champion unity, tolerance, and understanding remains the nation’s biggest asset. He also noted that the ability of the residents to work and stay together will guarantee a better future for the nation.
Addressing the government and security agencies, Obi noted that residents have the right to be protected by all security agencies to live and work in any part of the country; he noted that the government should provide platforms for the protection of individuals. He cautions that the present challenges should not divide the country, but there is strength in unity.
In an earlier message by the governor of Lagos, Bababjide Sanwolu, he frowned at the messages which have been circulated mostly on social media platforms; the governor distanced the government and people of Lagos state from the messages, explaining that Lagos has been and will remain a state for every Nigerian despite their ethnicity or religion.
He noted that the individuals behind the disregarded messages are only creating a misunderstanding between the Igbo and the Yourobas, who have lived happily for years. He explained that those who have made Lagos their home for years will always have a peaceful home.
The governor who charged the security agencies to investigate the individuals behind the handles noted that Lagocians should not allow themselves to be used as agents of destruction in the state.
The PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has also criticised the peddler of the genocidal message, stating that the government should protect all individuals in the country and that such individuals should be allowed to move freely.
The former vice president noted that such messages in the past have affected different countries in different ways. Citing Rwanda, he noted that the country suffered greatly from the incident. He called on all stakeholders to learn from the incidents and advised citizens to stay away from such comments.
The circulated messages noted that the Igbos currently staying in Lagos and other southwestern states should relocate to their land of origin before August 20th, 2023, when there will be a massive protest against them. The messages further urged the people of Youroba Extraction to relocate back to their states.
