Governor Peter Obi on Wednesday wrote
President Goodluck Jonathan to investigate the dumping of 72 homeless
people at the Upper Iweka Bridge, Onitsha, Anambra State, by suspected
agents of the Lagos State Government.
In a letter titled, “Unconstitutional,
Illegal and Forced Deportation of Nigerians to Anambra State from Lagos
State,” Obi described the action of Lagos State Government in the matter
as disturbing.
He said it had serious security and
political implications, considering the fact that it was not the first
time that such an action was taken by the Lagos State Government.
Part of the letter read, “This latest
callous act, in which Lagos State did not even bother to consult with
Anambra State authorities before deporting 72 persons considered to be
of Igbo extraction to Anambra State, is illegal, unconstitutional and a
blatant violation of the human rights of these individuals and that of
the Nigerian Constitution.
“Your Excellency, no amount of offence
committed by these people, even if deemed extremely criminal, would
justify or warrant such a cruel action by a state authority and in a
democracy.
“Even refugees are protected by the
law. Furthermore, the extant provisions of the Nigerian Constitution
states, ‘Every citizen of Nigeria is entitled to move freely throughout
Nigeria and to reside in any part, thereof, and no citizen shall be
expelled from Nigeria or refused entry thereby or exit therefrom.’”
However, Lagos State Government said it did not deport anyone to Onitsha in Anambra State.
Speaking with journalists shortly after
the state Security Council meeting, chaired by the state Governor,
Babatunde Fashola, on Wednesday, the state Commissioner of Police, Mr.
Umaru Manko, said the government only rehabilitated and resettled the
people.
Manko said, “What happened was that the
state rehabilitated citizens from other states that came into the state
and turned into beggars.
“After that, they indicated their
interest to go back to their home towns to be resettled. That was what
happened. There was no deportation.”
The police commissioner said security in the state was perfect, adding that security operatives were on top of the situation.
He said, “The residents should go about their lawful businesses. Of course, everyone knows that the Eid-il-fitri is around the corner. We have done everything necessary to ensure that the festival comes and go peacefully.”
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Manko the bull, what are saying now, thay you did not deport them? Nigeriaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa we de.
ReplyDeleteThis is part of the reason Obasanjo was selected by Northerners in 1999, against Yoruba's Choice (Olu Falaye). Any Yoruba leader who allow Himself to be seen as a tribalist will find it difficult to rule this country.
ReplyDeleteThat was the single reason that deprived Awolowo from becoming president. (I WILL BE A YORUBA MAN BEFORE BECOMING A NIGERIAN). Words of Awolowo, which is OK, But does he has to say that in public as a leader aspiring to rule both Igbo and Hausa ??
I think all the South-South,South-East Midlebelt should come out in mass 2015 and Vote this A.C.N out of lagos.
They should have given them transport money instead of "deporting" them?
ReplyDeleteyorubas of non lagos origin were dumped in osun state, hausas in sokoto any persons constituting a nuisance were affected.so igbos should pls go and rest and stop disturbing the peace
ReplyDeleteMy friend, this is not an ethnic issue. Even those that were dumped in Osun and Sokoto deserve better treatment. Lagos State Govt could have done better without violating their fundamental human rights as Nigerians. Why not work with various state authorities to ensure these people are properly rehabilitated or reunited with their families.
DeleteYou are right it shoudint be an ethnic issue but the governor should have meet lagos state govt instead of petision when an issue concering igbo in lag occur govr okorocha left imo to lagos for settlement.but this govr that u said his fighting for all did not complain ppl from oyo kaduna kwara were sent back to their family last yr instead of sleeping under bridge and uncomplited building I. expect the govr to give then a wellcome reception back to their state and congratulate their family whom might have be missing their son and dougter for so long.But don't forget that there are indigbo whom have become a lagosian and even having a political appointment as commissional in lagos we u need to ask ourselves why they were not sent back to their family
DeleteIf what Lagos state government claims is the truth why were the so called beggars not sent to their parents? why were they dropped at dumped at Upper Iweka without informing their parents or Anambra state government?
ReplyDeleteThis uneducated Commissioner of Police does not see any wrong with the way Lagos State Govt carried out the relocation without informing the authorities in Anambra State. So that they can properly relocate or reunite them with their families instead of just dumping them at the head bridge like they mean nothing. It is wrong and should be condenmed. The less previlage among us deserve respect no matter what.
ReplyDeleteKarma is inevitable. In one way or de oda dey will surely be measured wit de same cup
ReplyDeleteIf we say we are in a democratic dispensation ,something should be done about this great slap on the face of igbos. The truth is there maybe some of them are jobless;but then shouldn't be abused in such an embarrassing way.
ReplyDeleteWe are all human-beings,and aware of the present state of the nations economy, deportation cannot solve the problems in Lagos-state;but what about those guys(Alaye's) they should equally deport them to their various villages to reconcile with their family.
Let's stop discrimination if we want to thrive as a nation!
lagos state governor is truely wicked. by that time of the morning? what if something happens to them on their way to dump them? I believe there is a political motive behind this
ReplyDeleteSorry you do not have a nation and your leaders lack vision and does not know God, simplly if all your jobless and homeless relative around the world are sent home what will you say!!!, creat jobs help one another , the main issue some were not yet to be an indipendent nation yet they joined, if he is wise he recall them back where ever they are from even if they are non nigerians i.e. do you know the effect of Ghana must go to the nation talk of your own show them that he can do better. no one is above mistake problem is that how wisely / openly corrects the mistake , but can he is my worries a fallen solder deserves respect for he tried and gave his all without measure! Biko onye ahapula nwanne ya yoo!!! Aku ru Ulo ka mma
ReplyDelete