President Bola Tinubu has cautioned individuals and groups who are exploiting the ongoing nationwide protest to promote ethnic intolerance in the country.
He said this during a nationwide address regarding the #EndBadGovernance protests on the morning of Sunday, August 4, 2024. Tinubu reaffirmed his commitment to creating a nation where ethnic prejudice has no place and cautioned those who have made threats against other ethnic groups in the country to stop.
In the wake of the 10-day planned protest that commenced last Thursday, certain entities have been using social media to spread divisive and aggressive language directed at fellow citizens. This behaviour came after the protests turned violent, resulting in looting, property destruction, and loss of life in various parts of the country, including Kano, Borno, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
As a result, some individuals and groups launched a social media campaign targeting Igbo residents in Lagos, demanding that they leave the state and other locations in the South-West or face a large-scale protest scheduled for August 20 – 30, 2024.
The campaign promoters also instructed all South-West natives in the South-Eastern region of the country to return home before the planned protest.
In response to these developments, Tinubu stated that he would not stand by and watch as a few individuals with clear political motives attempt to divide this nation.
“Nigeria requires all hands on deck and needs us all – regardless of age, party, tribe, religion or other divides, to work together in reshaping our destiny as a nation.
“To those who have taken undue advantage of this situation to threaten any section of this country, be warned; the law will catch up with you. There is no place for ethnic bigotry or such threats in the Nigeria we seek to build.
“Our democracy progresses when the constitutional rights of every Nigerian are respected and protected,” President Tinubu said.
The president pleaded with protesters and organisers to halt further protests and embrace dialogue. He promised to address their demands.