At the moment, the social media landscape has been ablaze with a controversial hashtag: #IgboMustGo. This provocative call to action has sparked heated debates, raised tensions, and highlighted underlying ethnic divisions in Lagos and the South-West region of Nigeria. But what exactly is behind this hashtag, and how has it impacted the social fabric of our vibrant city?
On July 27, 2024, a post by the handle @Lagospedia on X (formerly Twitter) went viral. The post urged Lagosians to brace themselves for a massive #IgboMustGo protest scheduled for August 20 to 30, 2024. The inflammatory message struck a chord, generating reactions across social media platforms and drawing attention to the simmering tensions between ethnic groups.
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, wasted no time in condemning the divisive rhetoric. In a statement issued by his media aide, Gboyega Akosile, Sanwo-Olu distanced himself from the reckless call for Igbos to leave Lagos. He emphasized that Lagos remains a home for all Nigerian citizens, regardless of their ethnic backgrounds.
Against the foregoing divisive backdrop, it is expedient to opine that as we navigate these turbulent times, it is essential to recognize the power of communication. Hashtags, tweets, and social media posts can shape public opinion, influence policy, and even exacerbate existing tensions. Therefore, responsible communication is crucial for maintaining peace and unity within our diverse society.
Given the evil that characterizes tribalism, it is not surprising that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar recently invoked the tragic history of Rwanda, urging Nigerians to learn from it. In Rwanda, divisive language and propaganda fueled the devastating genocide of 1994. As responsible citizens, we must resist any attempts to sow discord among ourselves, rather we should resort to promoting dialogue, understanding, and empathy.
Against the foregoing backdrop, it is not a misnomer in this context to opine that the #IgboMustGo hashtag serves as a stark reminder of the delicate balance we must strike in our interconnected world. Let us choose unity over division, empathy over hostility, and responsible communication over reckless rhetoric. Lagos, with its rich cultural tapestry, deserves nothing less.
In fact, we should always remember that our strength lies in our diversity, and together, we can build a more harmonious and prosperous future for all. Dr. Emeka Kalu, a chieftain of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) has called on Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Seyi Makinde, the Governors of Lagos and Oyo states, respectively to arrest and prosecute those threatening the continued residing of Igbo extractions in the two states.
Given the danger which the hashtag conveys to the public, particularly between the Igbos and virtually all Non-Yorubas in the Southwest region of Nigeria as anyone that neither speak nor understand Yoruba is misconstrued to be an Igbo, and conversely the Yorubas living peacefully in the South-East region, and even the South-South region of Nigeria are put at risk as any attempt to hurt the Igbos in the South-West would unarguably incur retaliatory responses in other regions. In fact, Peter Obi, the 2023 Labour Party (LP) flagbearer in the presidential election, has kicked against the call that Igbos should relocate from Lagos state.
In the same vein, Dr. Emeka Kalu, a chieftain of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) has called on Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Seyi Makinde, the Governors of Lagos and Oyo states, respectively to arrest and prosecute those threatening Nigerians of Igbo extractions living in the two states.
At this juncture, it is expedient to recall that the campaign tagged: #IgboMustGo protest, which started in the social media sometime last month, had given the Igbos residing in the two states till August 20, 2024 to leave the South West.
But, several Nigerians of diverse origins, had condemned the campaign, while Sanwo-Olu, had already castigated the campaigners as earlier mentioned in this context.
Kalu in a statement he personally signed and made available to journalists in Lagos, described the campaign as a stigmatization against the Igbos.
The politician insisted that such unguarded utterances, among other things, negated the bond of unity that holds the country together as people of one nation.
He explained that it was the responsibility of the government to go after those behind such unguarded statements.
He lamented that the country was presently facing hunger as a result of the dwindling economy, which sparked the ongoing nationwide protest and wondered why a segment of the people was still fanning embers of hatred.
He said: “I condemn in strong voice the call by some sentiment- driven youths in the Southwest for people of Igbo descent resident in Lagos and Oyo States to leave the region.
“In the interest of fairness, the government is expected to swing into action by ensuring that the perpetrators are arrested and brought to book.
“Outside this action, it would amount to deceit on the side of the government for allowing some group of persons to stoke the crisis in the polity.”
He emphasized that a nation in defense of a common brotherhood was not expected to take lightly such divisive utterances capable of flaming up another dimension of uprising and crisis in the country.
He declared that the state of economic distress in the country was never caused by Igbo residents in Lagos that would warrant their eviction; rather he stated that their business investments had continued to impact the Lagos State economy alongside the entire federation.
He advised the Federal Government to prevail on the security agencies to unveil those who orchestrated the hate speech and divisiveness.
In a similar vein, the pan-Yoruba socio-cultural and socio-political organization, Afenifere has called on all Nigerians living legitimately in any part of Yorubaland to entertain no fear about their safety or be afraid of being forced out of the area.
At this juncture, it is germane to opine that tribalism, like a stubborn weed, has taken root in the fertile soil of Nigeria’s social fabric. It thrives on division, perpetuating stereotypes, and hindering progress. It is high time we collectively recognize its harmful effects and work towards a more united nation.
In fact, tribalism, in its essence, is the preference for one’s own ethnic group over others. It manifests in various ways: This is as people harbor biases against those from different tribes, often based on historical events or cultural differences.
In a similar vein, tribal loyalty leads to preferential treatment within communities, affecting employment, education, and social interactions, and in some cases intertribal marriages are discouraged, perpetuating separation and limiting understanding between groups.
Historically, tribalism’s origins can in this context be traced to colonial times and the era of slavery. The divide-and-rule tactics employed by colonial powers left lasting scars. Today, tribalism persists, fueled by political elites, media narratives, and inherited biases.
Unfortunately, tribalism poses a lot of disadvantages, and top on the list of its disadvantages is that given the fact that when tribal loyalty trumps national interest, development suffers, particularly as competent individuals are overlooked due to their tribal identity.
In a similar vein, communities remain divided, hindering cooperation and collective problem-solving, and from political perspective, politicians exploit tribal sentiments for personal gain, perpetuating discord.
At this juncture it is expedient to ask, “Are there available solutions to address the challenges pose by tribalism?” Yes, there are solutions.
Addressing the challenges through education and awareness, it is expedient for our young ones in schools to be taught the history of tribalism and its impact as well as promoting intercultural understanding in schools and media.
In a similar vein, it is incumbent on political leaders to always prioritize national unity over tribal interests, particularly during electoral campaigns, and at the same time encouraging dialogue and collaboration across ethnic lines when in Office.
Again, media outlets should avoid sensationalizing tribal differences, and resort to highlighting stories of unity and shared achievements, while from the perspective of legal reforms, there should be efforts on the part of the government to amend the constitution to discourage tribal favoritism, and enforce laws against hate speech and discrimination.
The reason for the foregoing viewpoints cannot be farfetched as Nigeria’s strength lies in its diversity. Let us condemn tribalism, embrace our shared humanity, and build a future where unity prevails over division. Together, we can uproot this weed and sow seeds of harmony and progress.
