The South-East Caucus of the National Assembly has condemned what it calls the ethnic profiling of the Igbo people of South-East Nigeria for choosing not to participate in the ongoing nationwide #EndBadGovernance protests against hardship and hunger in the country, describing this development as both dangerous and unfortunate.
The federal lawmakers from the South-East stated that the Igbos’ decision to abstain from the mass protests was guided by the advisories from Ohanaeze Ndigbo, governors of South-Eastern states, parliamentarians, and business leaders.
The Caucus expressed its surprise and disappointment that, despite the Igbos’ stance, they are still being scapegoated and targeted as instigators of the protests, as evidenced by several statements, including the ‘Igbo Must Go’ hashtag and a call from a particular ‘Lagospedia’ X (Twitter) handle, along with videos circulating online.
In a statement jointly signed by Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe (Leader of the South-East Senate Caucus of the National Assembly) and Rt. Hon. Igariwey Iduma Enwo (Leader of the South-East Caucus of the House of Representatives) on Friday, the South-East Caucus said: “The attention of the South-East Caucus of the National Assembly has been drawn to the unfortunate and dangerous ethnic profiling of Igbos in the ongoing mass protests across the country.
“For the record, the Igbo nation, in obedience to the advice of their leaders—governors, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, parliamentarians, and others in the private sector—has taken a reasoned and strategic decision not to participate in the ongoing nationwide protests. This is evident in the relative calm experienced in the five South-Eastern states.
“We are, therefore, surprised and disappointed that Igbos are still being made scapegoats and targeted as instigators of protests, as demonstrated by several statements (such as the Igbo Must Go hashtag and calls from a certain ‘Lagospedia’ X (Twitter) handle) and videos seen online. This dangerous ethnic profiling is unwarranted and must stop.
“It was such profiling that led to the millions of deaths in Nigeria from the 1950s through the unfortunate civil war of 1967 to 1970. Elsewhere in Africa, it has led to the genocide in Rwanda and xenophobia in South Africa. Such tragedies should not be our fate again in Nigeria. Therefore, we demand that security agencies hold accountable the purveyors of these hate speeches in accordance 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.”
