No plan to expel Igbo, any other Nigerian tribe from any part of South-west, Afenifere replies LagosPedia
The pan-Yoruba socio-cultural and socio-political organisation, Afenifere, on Friday called on all Nigerians “living legitimately in any part of Yoruba land to entertain no fear about their safety or be afraid of being forced out of the area.”
Afenifere gave the assurance in a statement by its national publicity secretary, Comrade Jare Ajayi, while reacting to a post by a non-descript social handle tagged ‘LagosPedia’ which warned Igbos living in Lagos and the South-west to leave the area within one month.
Dismissing the threat, Afenifere stressed that those behind the “unwarranted, provocative and divisive campaign are out to cause disaffection among Ndigbo and Yorubas.”
“There is no plan anywhere to expel any group of people who are peacefully doing their businesses from any part of the South-west. Those who are being called to be ousted from the South-west are the unscrupulous herders who are making life difficult for our farmers and rural women.
“In this way, our Igbo brothers and sisters living in Lagos and the South-west should not entertain any fear of expulsion. We are all Nigerians.
“In view of the serious danger such a call for expulsion poses to peaceful co-existence, Afenifere is hereby calling on the security agencies, Police especially, to round up those behind this unpatriotic move as contained in the quoted LagosPedia post,” the statement read in part.
The organisation noted that, “South-west is known as one of the most accommodating parts of Nigeria in which everyone who is carrying out legitimate businesses feels safe, secured and welcomed. Virtually every tribe in Nigeria has members in different parts of the South-west.”
“None of them is singled out for harassment. Only people who are criminally minded have reasons to be afraid. And this is not restricted to non-Yoruba people. Whether you are Yoruba or non-Yoruba, if you contravene the laws of the land, you would be appropriately dealt with in accordance with the rule of law. Otherwise, you have no reason to fear at all, whether you are an indigene or non-indigene.”
Commending Governor Babajide Sanwo-olu of Lagos state for promptly denouncing the campaign of calumny that tended to fuel embers of disunity, Afenifere said, “It is on record that Lagos state government, as is the case with other governments in the South-west, is doing everything possible to provide for the citizens of the state without regard to tribe, religion or any other coloration.
“It is, therefore, very insensitive and mischievous of any person or group to come up with any insinuation laden with ethnic hatred, especially at this time that tension is high in the country.”
