Human rights lawyer Ifeanyi Ejiofor has accused the Federal Government of being complicit in the controversial #Igbomustgo campaign in Lagos, which has targeted the Igbo community in the state. Ejiofor made the statement on Monday while addressing reporters in Owerri, linking the campaign to inflammatory remarks made during the 2023 presidential election campaign.
Ejiofor specifically called out Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to President Bola Tinubu, for his role in the situation. He alleged that Onanuga’s ethnically charged statements against the Igbo community during the election campaign contributed to the current atmosphere of hostility and violence.
“The mastermind behind the #Igbomustgo movement may not be acting alone,” Ejiofor claimed. “One might question the disinformation role played by Bayo Onanuga in Tinubu’s rise to the presidency, leading to direct physical attacks, killings, and the destruction of Igbo properties under the pretext of violating the city’s master plan.”
Ejiofor further urged President Tinubu to take responsibility by instructing Onanuga to publicly apologize to the Igbo community and to remove his offensive social media posts. He warned that the failure to do so could lead to further escalation of tensions.
He also advised the Igbo community in Lagos to remain vigilant, emphasizing that the ongoing situation appears to be a deliberate and coordinated effort to marginalize and intimidate them.
“The Igbo people are not cowards; they have been tested and proven. History and posterity will judge us kindly,” Ejiofor stated, calling for resilience in the face of what he described as a grave conspiracy.
