Ask Onanuga To Apologize To Ndigbo – Ejiofor To Tinubu

Human rights lawyer, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, has called on President Bola Tinubu to mandate his media aide, Bayo Onanuga, to apologise to Ndigbo for his hate speech.

One of the lawyers of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader, Nnamdi Kanu, Ejiofor, said the federal government must be held accountable if any attack is unleashed on Ndigbo in Lagos by August 20.

Ejiofor said this as security agencies have yet to arrest the owner of the X account (Lagospedia, now deleted) that called for #IgboMustGo protest, despite calls by Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Peter Obi and other leaders of the South East region.

IPOB‘s lawyer said the owner of the handle promoting protests against Ndigbo in Lagos and other South West states may not be acting alone.

He alleged that the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga  influenced those calling for protest against South East people.

He emphasized that unless President Tinubu orders Onanuga to apologize to Ndigbo for his hate speech tweets during and after the 2023 election would his warning to promoters of #IgboMustGo protest be taken seriously.

In a statement, on Monday, Ejiofor wrote, “As the situation intensifies and the reality of a looming conspiracy becomes apparent, it is crucial to address the facts with clear evidence. The mastermind behind the #IgboMustGo movement, may not be acting alone in this sinister agenda, otherwise one might question the disinformation role played by Bayo Onanuga in Tinubu’s rise to the presidency, during the electioneering campaign leading to 2023 General election and thereafter.

“The social media has not forgotten the vituperative, ethnically charged statements against the Igbo community, spearheaded by Onanuga. These hateful comments are still visible for the world to see. Currently, Onanuga serves as a Special Adviser to President Tinubu, and his divisive rhetoric is being promoted by those he has influenced.

“Onanuga threatened the Igbo community in Lagos with severe consequences if they didn’t vote for Tinubu, leading to direct physical attacks, killings, and consequent destruction of Igbo properties under the pretext of violating the city’s master plan. These threats, seemingly endorsed by those at the helm of affairs, persist and could escalate into full-scale violence if not addressed immediately.

“The pressing question for President Tinubu is why Onanuga has not been mandated to apologize to the Igbo community and retract his subsisting threats? Why do his inflammatory comments from the election period still remain on his social media platforms 18 months later?”

Kanu’s lawyer advised Ndigbo in Lagos and other South West states to remain alert. He said the planned protest may have the backing of those in authority.

“President Tinubu should begin by ordering his aide – Onanuga, to review and delete these offensive posts and issue a public apology to Ndi Igbo. Only then will the Igbo community begin to take seriously any measures the presidency claims to implement for their safety in Lagos state.

“I strongly believe that this is a carefully planned agenda, and I urge our Igbo brothers and sisters in Lagos to remain vigilant. This conspiracy seems to have the backing of those in power, and it should not be taken lightly.

“To our Igbo community in Lagos, stay alert and do not underestimate this grave conspiracy. While its execution may be challenging, our resilience will see us through,” he added.