South-East Lawmakers Speak On Why Igbos Didn’t Join Hunger Protests, Frown At Ethnic Profiling

The South-East Caucus of the National Assembly has frowned at what it called ethnic profiling of the Igbo people of the South-East Nigeria for choosing not to join the ongoing nationwide #EndBadGovernance protests against hardship and hunger in the country, describing the development as dangerous and unfortunate.

The federal lawmakers from the South-East said the decision of the Igbos to abstain from the mass protests was informed by the advisory from the Ohanaeze Ndigbo, governors of South-Eastern States, Parliamentarians, and business leaders.

The Caucus, therefore, said despite the stance of the Igbos, it was surprised and disappointed that the race was still made scapegoats and targeted as instigators of the protests, as shown in several statements, such as the ‘Igbo Must Go’ hashtag and call by a certain ‘Lagospedia’ X (Twitter) handle and videos seen online.

In a statement jointly signed by Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe (Leader of the South-East Senate Caucus of the National Assembly) and Rt. Hon. Igariwey Iduma Enwo (Leader of the South-East Caucus of the House of Representatives), on Friday, the South-East Cacus said: “The attention of the South East Caucus of the National Assembly has been drawn to the unfortunate and dangerous ethnic profiling of Igbos in the ongoing mass protests across the country.

“For the records, the Igbo nation, in obedience to the advice of their leaders- Governors, Ohaneze Ndigbo Worldwide, parliamentarians and others in the private sector – had taken a reasoned and strategic decision not to participate in the on-going nationwide protests. This is evident in the relative calm experienced in the five South Eastern states.

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“We are, therefore, surprised and disappointed, that Igbos are still made scapegoats, and targeted as instigators of protests, as shown in several statements (such as the Igbo Must Go hashtag and call by a certain ‘Lagospedia’ X(Twitter) handle) and videos seen online.
This dangerous ethnic profiling is unwarranted, and must stop.

“It was such profiling that led to the millions of deaths in Nigeria from the 1950’s to the unfortunate civil war in 1967 to 1970. Elsewhere in Africa it led to the genocide in Rwanda and the xenophobia in South Africa.
Such should not be our fate again in Nigeria.
We demand therefore that the security agencies bring to book the purveyors of these hate speeches in line with the cybercrimes act and criminal laws of the country.

“We continue to appeal to Igbos across the country to stay away from the protests, and remain law abiding.”