Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has publicly denounced a controversial social media post calling for the eviction of Igbo people from Lagos and the South-West region of Nigeria.
The contentious message, posted by @Lagospedia on X (formerly Twitter) on July 27, 2024, caused widespread outrage and debate across social media platforms.
In response, Governor Sanwo-Olu’s media aide, Gboyega Akosile, released a statement late Thursday distancing the governor and the Lagos State Government from what he termed “reckless, divisive, and dangerous rhetoric.” Akosile stated that Lagos remains open and welcoming to all Nigerian citizens irrespective of their ethnic backgrounds.
“The governor views the post as an attempt to sow seeds of discord among different ethnic groups, particularly those who have chosen Lagos as their permanent residence,” Akosile stated. He further urged Lagosians to disregard such incendiary messages and assured the public of the government’s commitment to maintaining peace and harmony in the state.
Following the uproar, former Vice President and 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, also weighed in on the issue via his verified Facebook page. Atiku condemned the #IgboMustGo hashtag as divisive and a threat to national unity, calling on the Federal Government to investigate and take decisive action against those responsible.
“The recent call on X for a protest demanding the forced relocation of Igbo people from Lagos and other South-West states is deeply troubling,” Atiku remarked, highlighting that such rhetoric undermines the constitutional rights of Nigerians to live and work freely anywhere in the country.
In light of these developments, Governor Sanwo-Olu has instructed security agencies to swiftly investigate the origins of the controversial social media post and ensure that those responsible face legal consequences. The governor reiterated his appeal to Lagosians to remain calm and united, emphasizing the importance of upholding peace and harmony in the multicultural state.
