In Lagos State, tensions have escalated between the government and its residents, particularly those of Igbo origin, creating a climate of mistrust and conflict. This strain intensified notably after the February 2023 presidential election, where Peter Obi, the Labour Party candidate and an Igbo, secured a surprising victory over Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate and a Lagos native. Tinubu’s defeat was seen as a significant political shock, undermining his long-held dominance in Lagos politics and challenging his reputation as the state’s political kingmaker.
Since serving as governor from 1999 to 2007, Tinubu has wielded immense influence over Lagos’s political landscape. His endorsement has been crucial for the rise of virtually every political figure in the state, including his successors. Local government aspirants are often required to pledge allegiance to Tinubu’s faction, colloquially known as ‘Baba sope,’ with dissenters facing political marginalization. A notable example is former governor Akinwumi Ambode, who, despite a strong first term, was denied a second term during party primaries due to his perceived disloyalty. After years sidelined, Ambode appears poised for a political resurgence. Tinubu’s near two-decade governance effectively privatized Lagos’s political machinery, making the 2023 election results an unprecedented disruption. The unexpected scale of his loss sparked a fierce backlash against those believed to have contributed to this upheaval.
The Igbo community in Lagos quickly became targets of blame, accused-without substantiation-of orchestrating Tinubu’s downfall and attempting to wrest control of the state’s governorship from the indigenous Yoruba population. The response was swift and harsh. Igbo voters were intimidated and barred from participating in the March 2023 gubernatorial election unless they pledged support for the APC candidate, Babajide Sanwo-Olu. This enforcement was led by a notorious figure known for accumulating wealth through intimidation and violence, whose widely circulated videos warned Igbo residents to comply or face severe consequences. This suppression extended beyond the Igbo, affecting Yoruba and other residents mistaken for Igbo, with defiance often met by brutal retaliation. The enforcer, M.C. Oluomo, operated with apparent police protection and official endorsement, highlighting the impunity surrounding these actions.
Authorities attempted to downplay Oluomo’s threats, dismissing them as jokes and releasing staged footage to minimize public concern. Nevertheless, skepticism persisted. Following these events, Oluomo was elevated to lead the national road transport workers union in Abuja, coinciding with Tinubu’s presidential inauguration-widely interpreted as a reward for his role. Meanwhile, Governor Sanwo-Olu, also from the APC, faced accusations of complicity in Tinubu’s Lagos defeat. Although no concrete evidence was made public, suspicion alone subjected him to public ridicule and political attacks, including impeachment threats. His efforts to remove the Lagos State House of Assembly speaker backfired, further weakening his standing. Allegations involving money laundering linked to a socialite and a covert overseas trip surfaced but eventually faded from public attention.
The ruling elite’s insistence on loyalty has translated into aggressive actions against the Igbo community, particularly targeting their businesses and economic ventures. Under Sanwo-Olu’s administration, demolitions of Igbo-owned properties and closures of markets where they predominate have become increasingly common, often justified by minor regulatory infractions that could have been resolved through dialogue. The recent demolition of market plazas at the Trade Fair complex exemplifies this troubling pattern. The Lagos State Commissioner for Physical Planning struggled publicly to justify these demolitions, exposing the questionable nature of the enforcement.
It is clear that these demolitions are motivated by more than mere regulatory concerns. Deep-rooted resentment and envy toward the Igbo, combined with political strategizing ahead of the 2027 presidential election, appear to drive these punitive measures. The timing coincided with statements from Sego, Oluomo’s successor, who ominously declared that Lagos and the APC are inseparable and warned dissenters of severe repercussions. Although Sego was briefly questioned by security agencies, he faced minimal consequences, underscoring the tolerance for intimidation tactics. Ultimately, this campaign against the Igbo community reveals a toxic blend of fear, animosity, and political calculation. Yet, much like the resilient baobab tree that withstands storms, the Igbo community continues to endure and thrive despite efforts to suppress it.
AUTHOR: UGO ONUOHA
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