South-East Lawmakers In N’Assembly Petitions IGP Amid #IgboMustGo Campaign, Calls For Prosecution Of The Promoters

Clement Olafusi

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

Prior to the nationwide protest against economic hardship, an account on X (formerly known as Twitter) had given people of Igbo origin a one-month ultimatum to relocate their businesses from Lagos, the nation’s commercial epicentre.

Through a petition dated August 4, Enyinnaya Abaribe and Igariwey Enwo, leaders of the south-east caucus in the senate and house of representatives respectively, stated that it is the responsibility of the police to make sure that there is law and order in Nigeria.

The lawmakers added that the IGP should take note of a post by Mr Bayo Onanuga, presidential aide, where he claimed that the protest was organized by the supporters of Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 election.

“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 south-east caucus then said the police should uncover the owner of ‘Lagospedia’ handle on X for promoting the #IgboMustGo campaign.

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