…Denies Declaring War On Northerners, Leading Hunger Protests

Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Mr Peter Obi has called on President Bola Tinubu to immediately arrest and prosecute those behind the divisive genocidal threat against the Igbo in the South-West immediately.

Obi made the call on Friday following a trending call by certain elements from the South-West for Nigerians from the South-East geopolitical zone to be driven away from the South-West geopolitical zone.

They blamed the Igbo for the ongoing hunger protests which have degenerated to Tinubu Must Go.

Tinubu is of the Yoruba ethnic stock from the South-West geopolitical zone. They alleged the Igbo are behind the protest to remove “our brother (Tinubu)” from office.

An individual who runs an account called Lagospedia on X/Twitter made the post urging “Lagosians and every South-West stakeholders to prepare for the massive protest of IgboMustGo on the 20th to 30th of August,” on July 27.

The post which was latched into by other Lagospedia apologists further said “they have one month from now to leave and relocate their business from all South-West states.

“We urged all Yoruba living in the South-East states to return home,” the post said.

The threat has not been condemned by the police or any security agency and the individual has not been arrested as of the time of filing this report.

Obi condemned the incendiary rhetoric and likened it to genocide.

Stating that it’s really “deeply disturbing,” he said he has “read genocidal threats on X against the Igbo tribe, calling for their relocation.

“Let me pointedly warn that such rhetoric threatens our unity and is fundamentally opposed to our Constitution, which guarantees every Nigerian the right to live and work freely anywhere in the country.

“Those in authority must show leadership and urgently speak out against such divisive rhetoric,” he said.

Obi added that immediate action should be taken to “investigate, arrest, and prosecute those behind this heinous agenda, serving as a deterrent to others who might consider pursuing similar paths that threaten our national security and unity.”

He urged “all Nigerians to stand united against this divisive rhetoric and to champion unity, tolerance, and understanding” adding that “our future depends on our ability to live and work together harmoniously.

“The government and security agencies must act swiftly to protect this fundamental principle and ensure that every Nigerian can live free from fear of discrimination or persecution. We must not allow our present challenges to drive wedges among us.

“We can only overcome our national challenges if we act together as one people United under God,” he added.

I Never Declared War On Northerners Or Led Hunger Protests

The former Anambra State governor also raised an alarm that people have been paid to blackmail him to conform to their nefarious agenda denying ever declaring war on Nigerians from the north.

He said, “I have noticed some deliberate and well-orchestrated efforts by some persons to blackmail me into conforming to some of their nefarious agendas.

“Their dubious moves have led to the false circulation of a video from my recent keynote speech at the installation of Rotarian Professor A. U. Nnonyelu in Anambra State.

“They have twisted the video to suit their motive to suggest that I declared war on Northerners when, in fact, I spoke about declaring war on economic stagnation, insecurity, and corruption.”

Similarly he said “another video circulating online, supposedly showing me leading a protest in Abuja, is also false.

“The video was actually taken during my visit to the Labour Party HQ, where I mediated a clash between the Labour Party and the NLC.”

He stated that the video was “conveniently edited to create a false narrative, and those responsible have been paid to spread this misinformation.”

This “kind of misinformation” he said “has no place in our democracy, where truth and honesty should prevail.”

He said it’s a “misrepresentation,” which “is part of a larger narrative of blackmail, aimed at fitting me into their malicious agenda.”

He emphasised that he remains “committed to a new Nigeria where justice, equity, and caring for the citizens will prevail over the greed of a few.”