South-east lawmakers petition IGP over #IgboMustGo campaign, seek prosecution of promoters

The south-east caucus in the national assembly has petitioned Kayode Egbetokun, inspector-general of police (IGP), over a “hate campaign” against the Igbo ethnic group.

Before the nationwide protest against economic hardship, an X account had given the Igbos a one-month ultimatum to relocate their businesses from Lagos, the nation’s commercial nerve centre.

In a petition dated August 4, Enyinnaya Abaribe and Igariwey Enwo, leaders of the south-east caucus in the senate and house of representatives respectively, said it is the responsibility of the police to ensure that there is law and order in the country.

They said the IGP should take note of a post by Bayo Onanuga, presidential aide, where he claimed that the protest was planned by supporters of Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in 2023.

“Section 41(1) of the 1999 constitution provides that: ‘Every citizen of Nigeria is entitled to move freely throughout Nigeria and to reside in any part thereof, and no citizen of Nigeria shall be expelled from Nigeria or refused entry thereby or exit therefrom’,” the petition reads.

“Furthermore, Section 15(4) states that: ‘The State shall foster a feeling of belonging and of involvement among the various people of the Federation, to the end that loyalty to the nation shall override sectional loyalties’.

“In view of these constitutional provisions, we affirm that this #lgboMustGo campaign contravenes the provisions of the Constitution and thus its champions must be brought to book.

“We are therefore calling on you, to exercise the powers of your office in ensuring that these culprits are fished out, and prosecuted to the full extent of the law.”

The lawmakers said the police should unmask the owner of ‘Lagospedia’ handle on X for promoting the #IgboMustGo campaign.