Tinubu warns against ethnic bigotry, divisive rhetoric under guise of protest

President Bola Tinubu has warned that “those who have taken undue advantage” of the nationwide protests to threaten other Nigerians will be dealt with.

The president spoke in an address to the nation on Sunday.

For the past few days, the country has been brought to a standstill over the #EndBadGovernance protest — a 10-day demonstration against economic hardship.

In the northern part of the country, the protest has been marred by violence, looting, and destruction of public and private properties.

In the south, the protest has been largely peaceful.

However, in certain sections of social media, there were calls for the forced relocation of Igbos from Lagos and other south-west states. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, governor of Lagos, described some of the posts as “reckless and divisive” and asked security agencies to go after those behind the page.

Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar reacted to the development and demanded the federal government “investigate, arrest, and prosecute individuals promoting ethnic discrimination and violence” in the country.

Speaking on the situation, Tinubu promised to ensure order and not “allow a few with a clear political agenda to tear this nation apart”.

The president added that the law would be visited upon anyone leveraging the situation to perpetrate “ethnic bigotry or such threats” in any part of the country.

“As president of this country, I must ensure public order. In line with my constitutional oath to protect the lives and property of every citizen, our government will not stand idly by and allow a few with a clear political agenda to tear this nation apart,” he said.

“Under the circumstances, I hereby enjoin protesters and the organisers to suspend any further protest and create room for dialogue, which I have always acceded to at the slightest opportunity.

“Nigeria requires all hands on deck and needs us all – regardless of age, party, tribe, religion or other divides, to work together in reshaping our destiny as a nation. To those who have taken undue advantage of this situation to threaten any section of this country, be warned: The law will catch up with you. There is no place for ethnic bigotry or such threats in the Nigeria we seek to build.

“My vision for our country is one of a just and prosperous nation where each person may enjoy the peace, freedom, and meaningful livelihood that only democratic good governance can provide – one that is open, transparent and accountable to the Nigerian people.”