The Lagos State government has officially distanced itself from a campaign advocating for the forced relocation of Igbos from Lagos and other Southwest states. This campaign, initiated by an X user @Lagospedia on July 27, called for stakeholders in the Southwest to enforce the relocation of Igbos from August 20-30.

In a statement released last night, Gbenga Akosile, Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Lagos State governor condemned the post as “reckless, divisive, and dangerous rhetoric.” Akosile affirmed that Lagos remains home to all Nigerian citizens, regardless of ethnic background. Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu views the campaign as an attempt to create discord between the Yoruba and other tribes, especially those who have made Lagos their permanent home. He urged security agencies to investigate and prosecute those responsible for the post.

This response follows a similar call from former Vice President and 2023 PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, who urged the Federal Government to arrest and prosecute individuals advocating for the mass relocation of Igbos. Atiku highlighted the divisive nature of such rhetoric, emphasizing the threat it poses to national peace and security.

Read the Lagos State government’s statement below:

The attention of Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu has been drawn to a post by LagosPedia, a social media handle on X (formerly Twitter), calling for the Igbo to vacate Lagos and the Southwest of Nigeria and brace up for a massive hashtag #IgboMustGo protest from August 20th to 30th, 2024.

The Governor of Lagos State and indeed, the Lagos State Government wish to distance themselves from the reckless, divisive, and dangerous rhetoric, stating that Lagos remains home to every Nigerian citizen regardless of their ethnic nationality.

Governor Sanwo-Olu views the post as not only reckless and divisive but also an attempt to sow a seed of discord between the Yoruba in the Southwest and other tribes, especially those who have made Lagos their permanent place of abode.

The Governor appeals to Lagosians not to allow any person or group of individuals to create tensions in the State, calling on the security agencies to promptly investigate those behind the handle and bring them to justice.

Mr. Governor enjoins Lagosians to ignore the post and any post of that nature, promising to double his efforts towards ensuring lasting peace in the State.