Governor Fashola is being accused by some sections of society as being anti-Igbo for allegations bordering on illegal deportation of Igbo citizens to Onitsha late July.
The actions have caused a huge war to erupt on social media, with Nigerians who condemn his actions on one side and on the other,citizens who feel the actions of the Lagos State governor were legitimate and without malice. Some elements are however hijacking the debate to provoke tribal hatred and propaganda.
Here are some of the comments left on social networking site Facebook, in response to a Vanguard article on the subject matter:
John J Alozieuwa, a consultant commented, “Constructive and positive. The policy that Fashola is pursuing I dont think its against any particular tribe for even the yorubas have been victims too. I worry over its constitutionality and its implications but in defence of Fashola its a the last resort fater failure at rehabilitation though it doesnt justify something blatantly unconstitutional. I also worry about its political implications in the event that the potential damage is not managed very well and carefully. Its not directed at igbos there are other evidence of other ethnic groups being dealt with in the same manner. Also its a call for igbo leaders to sit up and make their environments good for the industrious citizens of of SE states to find their homes good for the creation of jobs at their respective states. People should not take this to feeding tribal sentiments Fashola maybe wrong headed he is not a tribalist. To regard him as one when he is not would be in the fight between good and evil one fighting alongside evil.”
Iheonunekwu Joseph Nwabueze, a student at Greenwich, England, said “Shame to Lagos State Government. I erroneously thought that this Fashola is well informed, I never knew that he is worst than others. Do you settle people by kidnapping them in the night and dumping them across and called it settlement? Where is the resettlement center built by the government and who was consulted, not even the governor of South-East. A Yoruba man will remain untruest worthy. Zik won election in the Western parliament and they cross-carpeted. Eni Njoku was the Vice-Chancellor of Unilag and Yoruba were almost dead and pushed him out and put unqualified registrar Biobako as VC-Lagos. Chief Awolowo betrayed Ojukwu and nationalized all Ndi-Igbo positions and properties. Envy will kill the Yorubas, The first person that opened Lagos and built the first in Ikoyi was Sir Odumegwu Ojukwu. If the Ndi-Igbo remove their business in Lagos every where will collapse. I want all the Ndi-Igbo is Lagos to stop Business as a protest for one. WE WANT BIAFRA SIMPLE.”
Oseni Olatunbosun Hibe said, “what have the igbos to say? laugh wan kill me oooooo. sebi yorubas are traitors? bad people? abegi…. sebi you all want biafra? you should be happy that someone dis courageous can bring all your dreams to reality. in as much as i won’t want to support the deportation of any nigerian from any part of the country, i am not too feeling bad about this cos of the ways at which our igbo compatriots deliberately use to insult the yoruba people without thinking that we all need each other to succeed and nobody is an island of resources. i rest my case.”
Colins Adiche said, “Obi, I love you so much for all you did as a Governor in Anambra state.However that will not stop me from criticizing this move because it will not yield anything positive. What i expect you to do is to tell Jonathan is to hasten the construction the 2nd Niger bridge and the dredging of the Niger,upgrading of the Enugu Airport to international standard ,repairing all the damaged federal road in the east,then address the ecological and security problem in the east.Once these are put in place your people will not over populate Lagos anymore. Reporting Lagos state to Jonathan means you and your Governor colleagues in the east are not ready to develop the eastern region therefore you do not want your brothers to come back home and establish their businesses. Clinching on a lopsided constitution to drive your point will make you and the so call Anambra NBA look so pathetic because we all know the constitution was nothing but a charade put in place by Abacha govt just to favor the North.
Lastly i want my brothers who keep saying Lagos is no man’s land to refrain from uttering such nonsense, because Lagos have been in existence long before it was made a federal territory. Secondly if Lagos was a no man’s land name like Mbadiwe, apkabio, Suswan or Dasuki would have been crowned a king in the past. Happy new month”