Lagos Politics, Unprovoked Ethnic Rivalry And the Urgent Need for Caution



For days, I fought very hard not to join this unpatriotic & uncivilized argument as regards Lagos State politics vis-a-vis Igbo/Yoruba relationship. I detest descending into the muddy waters of tribal politics, because of its adverse effects on the development of the nation and futuristic consequences for Southern Nigeria—which is yearning for unity of purpose. By virtue of my cosmopolitan cum detribalised nature, I believe I have outgrown ethnic supremacism and bigotry. In the last few days, I have read a lot of articles on the "imaginary" rivalry between Igbos and Yorubas in Lagos, especially as it relates to upcoming governorship election in the state. I tried not to join the conservation, but there is a time when silence is not golden. We need to put some records straight here for benefit of historians.

First, there is no ethnic tension between Yorubas and Igbos in Lagos. What is happening in the Nigerian economic capital is pure barbaric politics. It is strictly a battle between the PDP and APC candidates. It is a contest between those who want to "free" Lagos and those who want to maintain status quo. It is simply politics. Nothing more. Unfortunately one of the camps, in its desperate bid to stop the rival candidate, has resorted to ethnic tantrums and sentiments just to portray Jimi Agbaje of the PDP as pro-Igbo candidate, and give undue advantage to the APC candidate in the eyes of the Yorubas. The ethnic chauvinists forgot that #AtikuObi ticket got overwhelming support from South-West, irrespective of the fact that Buhari's vice president is Yoruba. Despite the massive rigging, Atiku's impressive outing in the South-West proved a point—that many Yorubas have outgrown tribal politics, which has held down Nigeria's greatness from being unleashed.

Those assaulting democratic rights of Igbos in Lagos are not representing Yoruba nation but a political group who want to sustain their hold on the purse of the state. They're colouring the feud as Igbo/Yoruba supremacist contest, because they understand how an average Nigerian reacts to tribal mudslinging. These tribal bigots know how Nigerians are susceptible to ethno-religious rivalry. They're capitalizing on the gullibility of the masses to promote their heinous agenda of holding on to power at all costs. I want to commend some Yorubas who have openly condemn the barbarism and extremism that is going on in Lagos in the guise of politics. The pseudointellectuals under the payroll of political godfathers should desist from fanning the embers of tribalism. It is a whirlwind that blows no one good. Igbos who are actively involved in Lagos politics should be mindful of their utterances. Your rights stops where another man's right begins, especially when he is your host.

Retrospectively, we traveled this ignoble path in 2015 when Ambode was trying to succeed Fashola as governor of Lagos State. The ethnic bickering was so intensed that Oba of Lagos threatened Igbos with Lagoon if they didn't vote for the APC. After the emergence of the winner, life moved on. Nothing was heard of it again. Igniting imaginary ethnic conflict has become one of the propagandistic tool of the APC in Lagos and those who want to maintain their dynasties. Every election cycle, they create unnecessary and unprovoked tribal tension just to achieve a political aim. Igbos arguably become verbal punching bag during every election season. There are politicians whose stock in trade is to play on the tribal sensibilities of the Yorubas to preserve their dynasty.

The strategy is to incite the good people of Yorubas against Igbos who live and do their lawful businesses in Lagos. They create the false impression that Igbos are conspiring to takeover political leadership of Lagos State by supporting a particular candidate, of which is not true. These despotic power mongers use their control of the media to promote the flawed and prejudiced narrative that Igbos in Lagos are laying claim to ownership of Lagos, which is also a lie from the pit of hell. Unfortunately some Yorubas are falling for the antics of Tinubu boys who are desperately branding the PDP candidate as "Igbo candidate", just to retain the status quo. This parochial pattern of politics is very dangerous and catastrophic. It is a ticking time bomb that must be diffused before it is too late.

The APC spin doctors and propagandists sandwich the political interest of Bola Tinubu and promote it as collective agenda of the Yorubas in Lagos, by making incendiary and inflammatory ethnic outburst against the Igbos for exercising their constitutionally guaranteed democratic rights to vote for the candidates of their choice. As long as Nigeria is still one, and our constitution has not taken away the rights of every Nigerian to register, vote and be voted for in any part of the country, Igbos in Lagos have the constitutionally backed right to vote for candidates of their choice in Lagos elections. It is not a privilege to be dispensed by one godfather, but fundamental rights of all Nigerians irrespective of tribe and religion.

Those who need votes of Igbos in Lagos should do that by persuasion not coercion. If Igbos resident in Lagos have not been excerpted from paying taxes, no individual or group can stifle their democratic rights to vote. No Yoruba man has been stopped from owing properties, doing business and voting in the East. No Yoruba man has been made to sell his lands to Igbos in Lagos under gun point. It is simply business transactions. I haven't seen a Yoruba man who was denied ownership of property in Igbo land simply because of his tribe or religion. I live in Abuja; Yorubas, Igbos, Hausas and Nigerians of other tribes own properties, live and do businesses in the FCT harmoniously without molestation from the Gbagis—the aborigines.

The indigenous people of Abuja—the Gbagi, have never for one day threatened any tribe to "stay away from Abuja politics". During the last National Assembly election, two Gbagi indigenes contested for the only senatorial slot here. And Senator Philip Aduda of the PDP defeated Hon. Jisalo of the APC. The APC candidate even lost his polling unit. Yet no tribal mudslinging was exchanged during and after the election. Neither Igbos nor Yorubas were threatened to "leave Abuja" because one of the Gbagi sons lost election—not to a stranger but his brother. It is worthy of note that Gbagis are yet to produced FCT minister since the creation of Abuja as capital, yet they are not threatening other Nigerians living in Abuja. It is very unfortunate that Lagos as former political capital and present economic hotbed of Nigerian business activities, which is also our own version of New York of America; London of United Kingdom; Shanghai of China and Johannesburg of South Africa, is being reduced to ethnic enclave and provincial fiefdom of some tribal warlords. It's pathetic.

By Chidiebere NwobodO

God bless you OP.....The way they threaten Igbos in Lagos, you would think they are getting everything free of charge. The same Tinubu who called them 'Awon Okoro was the one who was begging them again for votes. Every election season becomes 'Lagoon Party Anniversary' courtesy of APC bad sportsmanship

It is too difficult for some agberos to understand but the learned ones are not worried about that.

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I don't have data to comment

Thank God Yoriubas have woken from their slumber to protect their heritage.

How can a people come from hundreds of miles away and claimed the land of their host is a no man's land?

Yorubas must rise up and put a stop to this madness by. Iboes.

I PLEAD WITH MY IGBO BROTHERS AND SISTERS TO STOP COMMENTING ON IGBO HATE FILLED THREADS, LET'S IGNORE THEM SO THERE WILL DIE A NATURAL DEATH, DOUBLE YOUR HUSTLE, MAKE YOUR MONEY AND ENJOY YOUR LIFE,NO TIME FOR HATERS .... DA' ALUNU UMU INNEM .


#OperationSilentTreatment

How will he understand when he’s been blinded by tribalism, common sense takes a backseat. I said it in an earlier thread that there’s no rivalry in the real world between yorubas and igbos, just a bunch of non-entities who have data and feel they are entitled to an opinion.

With all the trash they spew here daily in the name of tribal bashing, has it added any positive outcome in their lives, do their opinions count in the real world? They stay in their 4x4 rooms and write nonsense each day

Nightwolf1:



obviously u never understood a thing from the post.
a retardd like you should know when silence is golden

Infact my verdict is that no Igbo should occupy any position meant for Yorubas again in SW and I stand by it.

In as much as the Hausas and over 200+ tribes in Lagos and other SW states don't pokenose into our affairs, why should Igbos be allowed to?

Too much familiarity they say brings contempt.. Yoruba ronu!

Nigeria is for all Nigerians simple!

Like the saying goes, leave trash for LAWMA, see him spewing bile, non-entity. Your words mean nothing, of no effect!! Try and get a life, you probably lack attention in the real world which would explain why you come to a faceless forum to seek validation. Next!!!

Mace0lane:
Are we talking the same silence your rettarded father n forefathers never tot it was golden before wasting over 2 million foolish fools of your tribesmen in the Biafra on gorilla cheat beating you are renowned for ?

Every reasoning that place despicable pigs like you were you rightly belong is based on tribalism yet your foolish tribe was the one that did not allow Bishop from adjoining village pastor another church among your kinsmen but you believe other tribe should allow you have a say on who governors them. Your entire tribe need to be beaten blue black with razor sharp matchet I swear for the effrontery to think you deserve such rights.

All these IGBO topics is just because of governorship election... and trying to make the average yoruba man feel Igbos want to take their lands....

Jimi Agbaje is a yoruba man.
Gbadamosi is a yoruba man.
Sanwo olu is a yoruba man.

Anybody is free to pick anyone...

Pure unadulterated garbage! You claim some Lagos APC politicians are responsible for making false Yoruba Ibo rivalry. Are these politicians also responsible for insulting Yorubas, and claiming their land is ‘no mans land’? You people like to mouth off a lot, but very quick to occupy the victim high chair when shit hit the fan. It’s gotten so bad even these greedy politicians are trying so hard to prevent Ibos from supporting their candidature cos they realize it’s the fastest route to becoming a perennial loser. What a pathetic lot.