The 2023 presidential election that held on February 10, was characterized by deliberately planned electoral infractions and attacks against a particular group and tribe in Lagos.
Politically sponsored attacks are not only directed at Igbos resident in Lagos but at all non-indigenes that bear non-Yoruba names. Non-indigenes cuts across, Edo, Urhobo, Ijaw, Itsekiri, Efik, Anang, Ibibio, Ogoja, etcetera.
Non-indigenes represent about 60% of Lagos population. Politically, Lagos state has become a melting pot of Nigerians – a mini Nigeria, representing nationalities of the Nigerian state.
Never in the history of Nigeria’s political and election history has the subject of ‘Indigene’ being more pronounced than in the election of the 2023 general elections.
Those who raise the subject of ‘Indigene’, do so out of morbid desperation of losing at the polls. These are the politicians who sponsor hate speech sentiments to harass, intimidate and coerce supporters of opposition candidates. They even send thugs to physically attack voters at polling units.
Also, some royal fathers have joined this inglorious group to promote violence and intimidation. Yet, the Police has kept a straight brazen face without arresting suspects.
A case in point is the thug that stabbed a voter in Surulere. Another case is the burning of Akere spare parts market in Olodi-Apapa, in Ajegunle. However, in the Ajegunle incident, one suspect had been arrested. What about other suspects?
The Inspector General of Police, Alkali-Baba, should not take us back to the dark days of late IGP, Sunday Adewusi, who turned a blind eye on the attacks by NPN sponsored political thugs in the third republic against UPN, NNPP and GNPP supporters. Under Adewusi’s watch, the Police organisation became a quasi-member of the NPN.
In spite of the avalanche of reports by thugs across Nigeria, especially in Lagos state, IGP Baba has not arrested one single suspect. Nigeria will not survive a one party state tyranny.
Alkali-Baba should direct his state Commissioners of Police to proactively move in and arrest thugs and any group or persons, suspected to be aiding attacks on voters in this Saturday’s governorship and legislative elections.
The Police must be seen arresting political thugs and trouble makers, not as a quasi-member of the APC.
Nigeria will not survive a one party state tyranny.