By Ibidapo Olowolayemo, Ibadan
Friday August 2, 2024
Please, share this story:
The Reuben Fasoranti-led Afenifere, a pan-Yoruba socio-cultural and socio-political organisation, has called on all Nigerians “living legitimately in any part of Yorubaland” to entertain no fear about their safety or be afraid of being forced out of the area.
The assurance was contained in a press statement by the organisation’s National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Jare Ajayi, while reacting to a post by “a non-descript social handle tagged ‘LagosPedia’ which warned Igbo living in Lagos and South-West Nigeria to leave the area within one month.
“The hashtag #Igbomustgo also called on all Yorubas living in the South-East to ‘return home.’
Afenifere said the post specifically read that ‘Lagosians and every South-West stakeholders should prepare for the massive protest of #IgboMustGo on the 20th – 30th of August.
‘They have one month from now to leave and relocate their business from all South-West states. We urge all Yoruba living in the South-East to return home.’
But Afenifere not only dismissed such a threat, but also declared that those behind the unwarranted, provocative and divisive campaign “are out to cause disaffection among Ndigbo and Yoruba.”
Ajayi went further to state that there was no plan anywhere to expel any group of people who were peacefully doing their businesses from any part of the South-West, adding that “those who are being called to be ousted from the South-West are the unscrupulous herders who are making life difficult for our farmers and rural women.
“In this wise, our Igbo brothers and sisters living in Lagos and the South-West should not entertain any fear of expulsion. We are all Nigerians.”
According to Ajayi, “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.”
He added that South-West was known as one of the most accommodating parts of Nigeria in which everyone who was carrying out legitimate businesses felt safe, secured and welcomed.
The Afenifere spokesman went further to state that virtually every tribe in Nigeria had members in different parts of the South-West.
“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 would 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,” he emphasised.
Ajayi saluted Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State for promptly denouncing the campaign of calumny that tended to fuel embers of disunity.
“It is on record that Lagos State government, as is the case with other governments in the South-West, is doing everything possible to provide for the citizens of the state without regard to tribe, religion or any other coloration.
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.”
Ajayi called on everyone living in the South-West to go about their legitimate businesses peacefully without any fear of molestation from any quarters, just as he called on all Yoruba in other parts of the country not to entertain any fear, “as long as they are not involved in anything illegal.”
Afenifere spokesman seized the opportunity to call on those protesting to vacate the streets as the points they were trying to make had been properly registered.
He added that Afenifere was discomforted by the lives that had been lost and properties that had been destroyed.
“We, along with many other well-meaning Nigerians, had earlier called for restraint concerning the protest. We are, hereby, reiterating our advice to the protesters to put an end to the protests, to minimise losses,” he said.
We are here to serve you with quality news and information.
However, your donations, reactions, and advert placement are welcome.
Contact us on 08033783144 (WhatsApp)
08023469999
idowuadelusi@yahoo.com, idowuadelusi@gmail.com,
thepathfindernews0@gmail.com
Follow our reports also on X @idowuadelusi and Facebook (Idowu Oluwole Adelusi)