The governor’s stance follows a request by Abubakar Atiku, a former presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 general election, for the Federal Government to investigate, arrest, and punish the #IgboMustGo protesters.

Sanwo Olu wrote, “The attention of Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has been drawn to a post by LagosPedia, a social media handle on X (formerly Twitter) that calls on the Igbo to leave Lagos and the Southwest of Nigeria and brace themselves for a massive hashtag #Igbomustgo protest from August 20th to August 30th, 2024.

The Governor of Lagos State, and indeed the Lagos State Government, seek to disassociate themselves from the reckless, divisive, and deadly rhetoric, stating that Lagos remains home to all Nigerian citizens, regardless of ethnic nationality.

“Governor Sanwo-Olu views the post as not only reckless and divisive but an attempt to sow a seed of discord between the Yoruba in the Southwest and other tribes, especially those who have made Lagos their permanent place of abode.”

The governor then urged Lagosians not to allow any individual or group of people to incite tensions in the state.

He urged security services to launch an immediate investigation and bring those responsible to justice.

“Mr. Governor enjoins Lagosians to ignore the post and any post of that nature, promising to double his efforts to ensure long-term peace in the State,” the statement continued.