*Says ‘Let 2023 be the last time of Igbo interference in Lagos politics. Mind your business”

Bayo Onanuga, the spokesperson for Bola Tinubu Presidential Campaign Council, on Sunday pushed an outright exclusion of Nigerians of Igbo extraction from Lagos political power, marking an escalation of ethnic controversies that enveloped the governorship election of March 18.

“Let 2023 be the last time of Igbo interference in Lagos politics,” Mr Onanuga said, tweeting a photo of Peter Obi, an Igbo from Anambra State who backed Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, a Yoruba from Lagos, in the Saturday’s election. “Let there be no repeat in 2027.”

Mr Onanuga, one of the president-elect’s top aides who’s expected to play a key role in the incoming administration, further said: “Lagos is like Anambra, Imo, any Nigerian state. It is not No Man’s Land, not Federal Capital Territory. It is Yoruba land. Mind your business.”

It was unclear whether or not Mr Tinubu shares Mr Onanuga’s position on the recent political developments in Lagos. Another spokesman for the president-elect did not immediately return a request seeking comments. Mr Tinubu, however, sued for national coherence following his victory last month.

For decades, Lagos, a state in Yoruba-dominated southwestern Nigeria, has played host to citizens from other parts of the country who also play active roles in its business and politics.

However, Nigerian most cosmopolitan city has been rocked by divisive ethnic tension this election season as politicians pull ethnic strings to gain an advantage.

Mr Onanuga’s statement targeted at the Igbos, which has been widely condemned by Twitter users, comes as President-elect Tinubu prepares to take over leadership of a highly polarised country.

In the February 25 presidential election, Mr Obi’s Labour Party defeated Mr Tinubu, the ruling All Progressives Congress presidential campaign, in Lagos, where Mr Tinubu was once a governor from 1999 to 2007 and held the de facto position as the godfather of all governors since then.

Though Mr Tinubu emerged winner of the presidential election after all results from all 36 states were collated and announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission, Mr Obi’s victory in Lagos came as a shocker to many. The declaration of Mr Tinubu as president is now being challenged at the election petition tribunal.

Saturday’s governorship in Lagos saw APC thugs roaming the streets warning citizens who will not vote for their party to stay at home.

This followed an earlier threat by notorious Lagos thug, Musiliu ‘MC Oluomo’ Akinsanya, threatening Igbos who will not vote for the APC in the governorship election to stay at home.

Mr Adenuga’s comments came as Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu appeared set to win reelection in Lagos, a victory many already condemned as coming via maximum ethnic violence unleashed on Igbo residents across the nation’s commercial capital on election day.

Meanwhile, Nigerians have taken to Twitter to express anger over Bayo Onanuga’s comments. Below are some of such tweets:

Ayo Obe @naijama
What is the need for this tweet at this time from a man holding such a position in the President-elect’s Campaign Council?
When we vote, we participate in politics: is that what is being called interference?
As to the rest, when mad people beat drums, sane people don’t dance.

Gbenga Oloniniran @gbenga_von
Quite divisive. The igbo people contribute immensely to the economy of Lagos and affected by the government policies. They should have a day in the state’s politics. Politicians should stop playing ethnic cards.

Aji Bussu Onye Mpiawa azụ 🇨🇮 @AfamDeluxo
Alhaji Lateef Jakande in his inaugural address as Lagos State Governor in 1979 was one of the first to use the phrase “Lagos is a no man’s land”, I sincerely don’t know why y’all are pinning that phrase on Ndiigbo. Bigoted connard!

Eghosa @TheEghosa
When we say our parent’s generation failed us, we this is a classic example. A 65 year old grandfather, sat down. Typed this tweet and published it. Omo

Observer @Observe76847722
When u say “interfere,” do u mean Igbos shld not be allowed to vote? If that’s the case, it is a good thing.
To make it even easier for u, why don’t u push for a referendum so Igbos won’t EVER interfere with Nigerian politics. Like ever!
Anything less, Igbos MUST continue to vote

Gbenga Oloniniran @gbenga_von
Quite divisive. The igbo people contribute immensely to the economy of Lagos and affected by the government policies. They should have a day in the state’s politics. Politicians should stop playing ethnic cards.

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