The joint caucus of the members of the National Assembly from the South-East geo-political zone has petitioned the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, asking him to arrest and prosecute those fuelling anti-Igbo action statements the South-West or other parts of the country.
In the petition signed by the Leader of Senate Caucus, Sen. Enyinnaya Abaribe and leader of House of Representatives caucus, Hon Igariwey Iduma Enwo, submitted to the IGP at his Police Headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday, the 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 Ndigbo 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.
The South-East federal lawmakers therefore stated 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 Igbo with several handles, including but not limited to the following joining the call for attacks against the Igbos: @GideonAdekusibe; @kultureklansman; @jackunle777; @adex_smithjr; @Waspapping_; who have openly called for the killing and extermination of Ndigbo.
The Group further reminded that as the on-going nationwide protest continues, these anti-Igbo sentiments have led to “a well orchestrated effort at pitching Ndigbo against Northerners by insinuating that the Igbo instigated the protests so that Northerners can destroy their homes.
Similarly, the Joint South-East caucus noted that a tweet put out on 20th July, 2024 by the Presidential Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, @ aonanuga1956, where he claimed that the protests were being planned by the OBIdients, 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 Ndigbo 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 to 1970.
The joint South-East Caucus stressed that “Nigeria is home to all of us and as the 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”.
They added that “this is only possible when the rights of people are protected by relevant government bodies”.
Recall that last week, Prof. Sam Amadi, the former chairman of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), had submitted a petition, couched in similar words, to the IGP, asking for the arrest of both Mr. Onanuga and the anti-Igbo tweeter.
