The Vanguard Newspaper, one of Nigeria’s most respected news organizations, has urged Nigerian President Bola Tinubu to rein in his aides engaged in ethnic profiling.
The news organization, in an editorial published on Tuesday, August 13, reminded the president that although he condemned ethnic bigotry and dismantled the proposed #IgboMustLeaveLagos protest scheduled for 20th-30th August 2024, he “should make good his threat to come after all individuals identified with that misadventure” and put them “on trial for treason.”
The newspaper told the president that “Action speaks louder than words.”
Vanguard also reminded the president that, having taken the solemn oath to “implement the constitution for the benefit of all citizens,” he needs to understand that all officers subsequently appointed by him are also “bound by these oaths.”
“Ethnic or other manner of profiling of people is alien to our Constitution. The law and its enforcement agencies were created to guarantee these, and the elected officials should ensure they are upheld at all times. Without it, there is no nation to build, as the country will be like the jungle where might is right”, Vanguard declared.
The news organization was referring to ethnic profiling of the Igbos, which “started in the North in 2017 and spread to Lagos State in 2020, 2023, and the eve of the #EndBadGovernment protests of 2024”.
It will be recalled that in June 2017, a group known as the Arewa Youth Consultative Forum (AYCF) demanded an expulsion of the Igbos from the 19 northern states of Nigeria by October 1 of that year. During the 2023 general election, Igbo voters were reportedly targeted to prevent them from voting in Lagos State.
Vanguard said it “unequivocally condemns the spate of ethnic profiling.”
Specifically, the newsgroup called out the now-deleted ‘X’ account “Lagospedia”, which vigorously promoted the #IgboMustLeaveLagos campaign on social media during the recent #EndBadGovernance protests.
However, it did not mention Mr. Bayo Onanuga, a close aide to the president and his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy. Onanuga has been accused of ethnically-charged rhetoric against the Igbo.
Onanuga is of the same Yoruba tribe as the president.
Full Text Of Vanguard Editorial
“I, …do solemnly swear/affirm that … I will discharge my duties to the best of my ability, faithfully and in accordance with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the law… that in all circumstances, I will do right to all manner of people, according to law, without fear or favour, affection or ill-will…”
Every President, Vice President, Governor and Deputy Governor assumes power by taking this Oath of Allegiance and Oath of Office, as contained in the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (As Amended), irrespective of their religious preference. All the officers they subsequently appoint are also bound by these Oaths.
The constitutionally-bounden duties of Nigeria and its government, as well as the rights, privileges and obligations of the citizens are fully enshrined in Chapters I, II, III and IV of the Constitution. These oaths are solemn undertakings to implement the Constitution for the benefit of all citizens and the greatness of Nigeria. Failure of any officer to abide by these Oaths is punishable according to the provisions of the Constitution.
In Chapter IV of the Constitution which covers Fundamental Human Rights, the rights of citizens to dignity of the human person, personal liberty within the law, fair hearing, private and family life, thought, conscience and religion, movement, acquire and own movable and immovable property in any part of the country, and from discrimination, among others, are assured.
Ethnic or other manner of profiling of people is alien to our Constitution. The law and its enforcement agencies were created to guarantee these, and the elected officials are supposed to ensure they are upheld at all times. Without it, there is no nation to build, as the country will be like the jungle where might is right.
In the light of these, we unequivocally condemn the spate of ethnic profiling which started in the North in 2017 and spread to Lagos State in 2020, 2023 and the eve of the #EndBadGovernment protests of 2024.
We commend President Bola Tinubu and Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State for coming out forcefully to condemn ethnic bigotry and dismantle the proposed #IgboMustLeaveLagos “protest” scheduled for 20th-30th August 2024, as canvassed on the now defunct Lagospedia platform on “X”.
Tinubu should make good his threat to “come after” all individuals identified with that misadventure. They should be put on trial for treason. Those occupying government offices and maintained with taxpayer’s money must be sacked. Their activities seek to undermine our Constitution and scupper peaceful coexistence of Nigerians in their chosen places of peaceful and lawful abode.
Failure to do these will be a betrayal of their Oaths of Office and tacit condonation of this crime. This will encourage it to continue rearing its ugly head.
Action speaks louder than words.
Comment, Like 👍, share this article, and Follow us on our social media handles.
WhatsApp Channel
Telegram Channel
