From Jeff Amechi Agbodo, Onitsha
The International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law (Intersociety) has warned that it’s an act of impossibility for the Igbo people living in Lagos or Abuja to be forced out and forcefully relocated back to the South East geopolitical zone.
The group said that asking the Igbo people to leave Lagos (Eko) through threats of violence against persons and properties is like asking the Yoruba people to return Lagos to Ancient Bini Empire” saying that those threatening the Igbo people with violence against their persons and properties or sponsoring same against them so as to force them into fleeing the two areas and relocating back to the South East must, first of all, return Eko (Bini War Camp) to the ancient Bini (Benin) Empire (Kingdom).
The Chairman of Intersociety Mr. Emeka Umeagbalasi in a statement stated that forcing Igbos out of Lagos is totally and eternally an act of impossibility and urged Igbo people to use all the legal means to protect themselves and their properties.
“Also, under “United Nigeria” or “Nigeria in Pieces”, Igbo people will never be forced out of Lagos or Abuja. The historical realities and present realities on the ground must be accepted by all and sundry including the hiring, the instigators, the attackers and the aiders and abettors.
“Intersociety had few days ago expressed deep concern over the “new exclusionist policy” adopted by the Babajide Sanwo-Olu led Government of Lagos State; solely targeted at the ‘Igbo People of Lagos State’ and the ‘Igbo People in Lagos State’ and geared towards excluding them from the public affairs in the State including appointments into the Cabinet of the Government of Lagos State.
“The State Government is also strongly accused of running “Igbo Properties’ annexation and demolition policy”; in addition to the existing “Policies of Class Criminalisation” by security agencies and “Ethnic Hatred” remotely sponsored by the National and Sub-National Government establishments in the State. Apart from our attention being drawn to the above few days ago by some detribalised media outfits, some National Assembly Members also approached us for our strong and informed voice on the issue.
“There have been systematic violent attacks against Igbo persons and their properties across Lagos with same being reported or feared to be imminent in Abuja in recent months; a follow up to coordinated anti Igbo attacks during and after the 2023 Presidential and (Lagos) Governorship Elections during which the ‘Igbo People of Lagos State and the Igbo People in Lagos State’ were attacked for exercising their constitutional and inalienable rights to political participation including right to vote or be voted for.
” Igbo properties targeted for demolition or destruction or annexation had included market shops, residential buildings, plazas, etc. Organised mob or hoodlum’s attacks on moveable and immoveable properties belonging to Igbos in Lagos State have also intensified in recent months with spillover being reported or strongly suspected in Abuja or FCT now under Nyesom Wike as the FCT Minister.
“By Section 1(3) of the 1999 Constitution, the provisions of the Constitution are supreme above any other law in force in Nigeria or any part thereof. By Section 6, the Judicial, Executive and Legislative powers of the country’s three Organs and Tiers of Government are vested in courts. By Section 4 (5), laws made by State Assemblies can never invalidate the laws made by the National Assembly and the laws made by the National Assembly can never invalidate the provisions of the 1999 Constitution.
” Constitutionally and sufficiently provided are the inalienable human rights to life and dignity of human person in Sections 33 and 34; rights to personal liberty in Section 35 and freedom of thought, conscience and religion in Section 38; right to freedom of expression in Section 39; right to freedom of movement and association in Section 40, right to freedom from discrimination in Section 42 and right to own and acquire moveable and immoveable properties anywhere in Nigeria in Section 43.
“In submission, Igbos in Lagos and Abuja are not moving an inch and must fight for and enjoy their inalienable human rights above using courts and other lawful means. A clear case in point was Ojukwu v Government of Lagos (1986),” Umeagbalasi stated.