Human rights lawyer Ifeanyi Ejiofor has called on President Bola Tinubu to direct his media aide, Bayo Onanuga, to issue an apology to the Ndigbo for what Ejiofor describes as hate speech.
Ejiofor, who is also one of the attorneys for Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), warned that the federal government would be held responsible if any attacks on Ndigbo occur in Lagos by August 20.
Ejiofor’s concerns arise as security agencies have yet to take action against the owner of a now-deleted X account (formerly Twitter) named Lagospedia, which had called for a #IgboMustGo protest. Despite public outcry from Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Peter Obi, and other South East leaders, no arrest has been made.
The lawyer said he believed the person behind the account may not be acting alone and alleged that Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, may have influenced those calling for protests against the Igbo people in Lagos and other South West states.
Ejiofor said unless President Tinubu orders Onanuga to apologize for his ethnically charged tweets during and after the 2023 election, any warnings against the #IgboMustGo protest will not be taken seriously.
In a statement released on Monday, Ejiofor expressed concerns about a possible conspiracy and Onanuga’s role in promoting anti-Igbo sentiments. “The mastermind behind the #IgboMustGo movement may not be acting alone in this sinister agenda,” he wrote, pointing to the “vituperative, ethnically charged statements” Onanuga made during the election period, which remain visible on social media.
Ejiofor further alleged that Onanuga’s comments led to physical attacks, killings, and the destruction of Igbo properties under the guise of enforcing Lagos’ master plan. He questioned why President Tinubu had not mandated Onanuga to apologize and retract these statements.
The lawyer advised the Igbo community in Lagos and other South West states to remain vigilant, warning that the planned protest may have the backing of individuals in positions of power in the country.
“President Tinubu should begin by ordering his aide—Onanuga—to review and delete these offensive posts and issue a public apology to Ndigbo. Only then will the Igbo community take seriously any measures the presidency claims to implement for their safety in Lagos State,” Ejiofor added.
He concluded by urging the Igbo community in Lagos to stay alert, saying while “execution” of the anti-Igbo agenda may be “challenging“, nonetheless it was necessary not to “underestimate this grave conspiracy“.
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