Nigeria’s President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has warned that “those who have taken undue advantage” of the nationwide protests to threaten other Nigerians will be dealt with.
In a recent address to the nation, the President spoke out amidst a 10-day #EndBadGovernance protest, which has brought the country to a standstill.
The demonstrations, aimed at addressing economic hardship, have seen varying levels of violence and destruction across different regions. While the northern part of the country has experienced looting and damage to public and private properties, the southern region has largely seen peaceful protests.
However, certain social media platforms have witnessed calls for the forced relocation of Igbos from Lagos and other south-west states, prompting Lagos Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to condemn such posts as “reckless and divisive” and urging security agencies to take action against those responsible.
Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar reacted to the development and demanded the federal government “investigate, arrest, and prosecute individuals promoting ethnic discrimination and violence” in the country.
Speaking on the situation, Tinubu promised to ensure order and not “allow a few with a clear political agenda to tear this nation apart”.
The president added that the law would be visited upon anyone leveraging the situation to perpetrate “ethnic bigotry or such threats” in any part of the country.
“As president of this country, I must ensure public order. In line with my constitutional oath to protect the lives and property of every citizen, our government will not stand idly by and allow a few with a clear political agenda to tear this nation apart,” he said.
“Under the circumstances, I hereby enjoin protesters and the organisers to suspend any further protest and create room for dialogue, which I have always acceded to at the slightest opportunity.
“Nigeria requires all hands on deck and needs us all – regardless of age, party, tribe, religion or other divides, to work together in reshaping our destiny as a nation. To those who have taken undue advantage of this situation to threaten any section of this country, be warned: The law will catch up with you. There is no place for ethnic bigotry or such threats in the Nigeria we seek to build.
“My vision for our country is one of a just and prosperous nation where each person may enjoy the peace, freedom, and meaningful livelihood that only democratic good governance can provide – one that is open, transparent and accountable to the Nigerian people.”
