Would you like to receive notifications on latest updates of the following headlines?

N’Assembly, Afenifere Kick Against Igbo Ethnic Profiling

POSTED ON August 3, 2024 •   POLITICS      BY Benedicta Bassey
National Assembly/ Photo credit: Premiumtimes

The national Assembly and the Pan-Yoruba socio-cultural and so-political group, Afenifere, have called on Nigerians living legitimately in any part of Yorubaland to entertain no fear about their safety.

They expressed disappointment over the profiling of Igbos as evidence by online statements such as the “Igbo Must Go” hashtag and inflammatory posts by certain social media handles.

Afenifere in a statement by the National Publicity Secretary, Jare Ajayi, faulted such a threat, declaring that those behind the campaign “are out to cause disaffection among Ndigbo and Yorubas and create tension in the polity.”

The group further stated that there was no plan anywhere to expel any group of people who are peacefully doing their businesses from any part of the southwest.

Ajayi said, “In view of the serious danger such a call for expulsion poses to peaceful co-existence, Afenifere is hereby calling on the security agencies, Police especially, to round up those behind this unpatriotic move as contained in the quoted LagosPedia post.

“None of them is singled out for harassment. Only people who are criminally minded have reasons to be afraid. And this is not restricted to non-Yoruba people. Whether you are Yoruba or non-Yoruba, if you contravene the laws of the land, you will be appropriately dealt with in accordance with the rule of law.

Otherwise, you have no reason to fear at all, whether you are an indigene or non-indigene.”

Ajayi saluted Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State for promptly denouncing the campaign of calumny that tends to fuel embers of disunity.

“It is on record that Lagos State Government, as is the case with other governments in the Southwest, is doing everything possible to provide for the citizens of the state without regard to tribe, religion or any other colouration. It is therefore very insensitive and mischievous of any person or group to come up with any insinuation laden with ethnic hatred, especially at this time that tension is high in the country.”

In a statement jointly signed by the leader of the Senate and House of Reps Caucus, Eyinaya Abaribe and Igariwey  Enwo noted that the Igbos have been unjustly targeted and scapegoated.

The South-East caucus noted that the Igbos, following the advice of governors, Ohaneze Ndigbo Worldwide, parliamentarians, and private sector leaders, decided not to engage in the protests.

The statement read, “This dangerous ethnic profiling is unwarranted, and must stop. It was such profiling that led to the millions of deaths in Nigeria from the 1950’s to the unfortunate civil war in 1967 to 1970.

“Elsewhere in Africa it led to the genocide in Rwanda and the xenophobia in South Africa. Such should not be our fate again in Nigeria.

“We demand therefore that the security agencies bring to book the purveyors of these hate speeches in line with the cybercrimes act and criminal laws of the country.

“We continue to appeal to Igbos across the country to stay away from the protests and remain law-abiding.”

READ ALSO
Tinubu's Spokesperson Accuses Peter Obi of Dishonesty Over Political Promises
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara August 4, 2025 0

The spokesperson for President Bola Tinubu, Bayo Onanuga, has accused Peter Obi, a former governor o...

READ ALSO
LG Chairman Champions Seyi Tinubu for Lagos Governorship
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara August 3, 2025 0

In the quest for a successor to Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the chairman of Oshodi-Isol...

READ ALSO
Northern Ex-Lawmakers Divided Over Tinubu's 2027 Re-Election Bid
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara August 3, 2025 0

Former federal lawmakers from northern Nigeria are sharply divided over President Bola Tinubu’...

READ ALSO
Sanwo-Olu Directs Local Government Chairmen to Pause Political Appointments
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara August 1, 2025 0

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has directed all newly inaugurated chairmen of the 20 Loca...

READ ALSO
No Defection Required: ADC Grants Peter Obi and El-Rufai Freedom to Stay with Current Parties
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 31, 2025 0

The newly established African Democratic Congress (ADC) has announced that the Labour Party's presid...

READ ALSO
SGF Urged Northern Politicians to Postpone Presidential Aspirations Until 2031
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 29, 2025 0

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Sen. George Akume, has urged politicians from the...

READ ALSO
Fayose Endorses Tinubu, Oyebanji for 2027 Elections
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 29, 2025 0

Former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, has officially endorsed President Bola Tinubu and Gover...

READ ALSO
SDP Expels Nasir El-Rufai for Misrepresentation and Manipulation
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 28, 2025 0

The National Working Committee of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) has expelled former Governor of...

OUR CHANNELS:

PDP Announces Schedule for National Convention: Revealed Key Dates
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara August 4, 2025 0

The National Working Committee (NWC) of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has announced its...


Tinubu's Spokesperson Accuses Peter Obi of Dishonesty Over Political Promises
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara August 5, 2025 0

The spokesperson for President Bola Tinubu, Bayo Onanuga, has accused Peter Obi, a former governor o...


Weather Alert: NiMet Cautions against Flash Floods in Northern and Southern Regions
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara August 5, 2025 0

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has projected rain and thunderstorms nationwide from Mond...


LG Chairman Champions Seyi Tinubu for Lagos Governorship
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara August 4, 2025 0

In the quest for a successor to Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the chairman of Oshodi-Isol...


Military Dismantles Drug Cartels, Arrests Suspects
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara August 4, 2025 0

Military officials at the Jaji Military Cantonment in Kaduna State have declared the dismantling of...


Historic Leap for Education: Federal Polytechnic Ilaro Elevated to University Status
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara August 4, 2025 0

The Olu of Ilaro and the paramount ruler of Yewaland, Oba Kehinde Olugbenle, has praised President B...


SERAP Demands Immediate Reopening of Badeggi FM Amid Claims of Gov. Censorship
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara August 4, 2025 0

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has given Governor Umar Bago of Niger S...


Northern Ex-Lawmakers Divided Over Tinubu's 2027 Re-Election Bid
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara August 3, 2025 0

Former federal lawmakers from northern Nigeria are sharply divided over President Bola Tinubu’...


SERAP Raises Alarm Over Public Officials' Lack of Accountability
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara August 5, 2025 0

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) expressed its concerns on Saturday rega...


Tinubu Calls for Enhanced Regional Integration to Boost West Africa's Economic Competitiveness
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara August 5, 2025 0

President Bola Tinubu has highlighted the crucial need for enhanced regional integration throughout...


More Articles

Load more...

Menu