Group calls for safety of Igbo residents in Lagos ahead of presidential tribunal judgement

Ndigbo Lagos, a socio-cultural group, has called for the safety of members of the Igbo community in the state ahead of the presidential tribunal judgement.

On Monday, the tribunal fixed Wednesday, for ruling on the petitions challenging the victory of President Bola Tinubu in the February 25 election.

The Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Peter Obi of the Labour Party (LP), and Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had approached the tribunal to challenge Tinubu’s victory at the poll.

There has been increased ethnic tension in Lagos since Obi defeated Tinubu in the state during the presidential election.

In a statement on Tuesday, Obi Umahi, president-general of the group, appealed to security agencies to deploy adequate personnel and resources to prevent any form of violence against members of the Igbo community in Lagos.

Umahi added that the recent proceedings of the tribunal have generated heightened tension in the country.

While urging members of the community to accept the outcome of the tribunal in good faith, Umahi said the group cannot ignore the “history of targeting and victimization experienced” by his people during and after the election in the state.

“The protection of lives and properties is the primary responsibility of the security agencies,” he said.

“We implore them to remain vigilant and proactive in safeguarding the lives and properties of every Nigerian citizen, especially Ndigbo, during this period of heightened vulnerability,” he said.

“We urge them to build upon their limited success and ensure an even more robust security presence across all regions with significant populations of Ndigbo, considering the long history of making us scapegoats in such situations.

“It is critical that every citizen, irrespective of their ethnic background, feels secure and protected within our great nation.”