By ABANIKANDA OLUMORO (UK)
In the ongoing discourse surrounding the socio-political dynamics of Lagos, Abanikanda Olumoro, a UK-based commentator, has made a clarion call to let the true voices of Lagosians be heard.
He argues that recent attempts to portray the Igbo community as the primary troublemakers in Lagos are both hypocritical and unfounded.
Olumoro expressed his astonishment at the audacity of some non-indigenous residents of Lagos, who he claims are pretending to be more Lagosian than the true indigenes.
These individuals, he asserts, are using the “ebi npawa” mantra—an expression indicating blackmail of the truly hungry—to stigmatize the Igbo for issues that are widespread across the entire country.
He highlighted the undeniable reality of hunger and poverty afflicting many Nigerians, attributing it to the economic policies of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
These policies, according to Olumoro, have led to widespread hardship and restiveness among the youth, not just in Lagos, but across the country.
He noted that even Northern Nigerian traditional rulers have voiced concerns about the unbearable impact of these policies on their subjects.
Olumoro criticised the narratives blaming the Igbo for the potential unrest in Lagos, particularly by referencing the EndSARS protests of October 2020.
He emphasised that the protest was a national movement involving various ethnic groups, including a significant number of Yoruba youths. To single out the Igbo for alleged intentions to destroy Lagos, he argued, is an unfair and baseless accusation.
Olumoro stressed that the economic crisis is a national issue, not confined to any single ethnic group.
He questioned the logic of urging ordinary Nigerians to endure hardships while the wealthy, living in luxury, continue to benefit from the nation’s resources.
He condemned the economic reforms as “wicked” and pointed out the disparity in sacrifices demanded from the poor versus the affluent.
Touching on the right to protest, Olumoro maintained that it is a constitutional right for citizens to express their grievances through lawful protests.
He argued that preventing protests in Lagos under the guise of protecting the city is undemocratic. He urged that legitimate protests should not be impeded and should be recognized as a fundamental aspect of a functioning democracy.
Olumoro also addressed the issue of ethnic profiling, stating that many of the so-called problems attributed to the Igbo in Lagos are, in fact, caused by non-indigenous Yoruba from other South West states.
He cited instances of land grabbing and the use of thugs to suppress voters during the 2023 elections as actions predominantly carried out by non-indigenous Yoruba, not the Igbo.
He urged the propagandists to cease their anti-Igbo rhetoric and recognize that the problems faced by Lagos are a reflection of broader national issues, not the result of a single ethnic group’s actions.
In conclusion, Olumoro called for the voices of true Lagosians to be heard, asserting that the real issues plaguing the city are the actions of a few individuals who do not represent the broader interests of Lagosians.
He emphasised that lawful protests should be allowed and that the responsibility of addressing the city’s issues should be left to its rightful owners—the true indigenes of Lagos.
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