Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has criticised and ridiculed social media claims calling on Igbos to leave Lagos and Southwest Nigeria.
Sanwo-Olu made the announcement through his special adviser on media and publicity, Mr. Gboyega Akosile.
According to the statement, “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), that calls on the Igbo to vacate Lagos and the Southwest of Nigeria and brace up for a massive hashtag #IgboMustGo protest from 20th to 30th August, 2024.
“The Governor of Lagos State and indeed, the Lagos State Government wish to distance themselves from the reckless, divisive, and dangerous rhetoric, saying 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.”
Sanwo-Olu, as a result, urged residents not to allow any individual or group of individuals to incite unrest in the state and urged security services to investigate and prosecute those responsible as soon as possible.
The governor asked citizens to ignore the message and similar ones, promising to double his efforts to ensure the state’s long-term peace.