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Ndigbo Lagos Condemns Attacks, Threats on Igbos, Calls on INEC to Repeat Elections in Affected Areas

Published

7 years ago

February 25, 2019

Eric

By Eric Elezuo

Following unprovoked attacks meted on Lagosians of Igbo extraction on Saturday during the Presidential and National Assembly elections and subsequent threats to lives and property against them by some groups on the social media, a group, Ndigbo Lagos, has reacted.

In a letter endorsed by the President General, Gen. Obi Abel Umahi (Rtd) and the Deputy Director of Communication and Strategy, Mr. Charles Nwodo Jr, the group frowned at the attacks and threats, reminding all and sundry that Igbos are citizens of Nigeria with rights to live wherever they choose in Nigeria.

It further advised INEC to set another date in the nearest future for the repeat of elections in the affected areas.

It would be recalled that there were skirmishes of attacks on certain areas with high density of Igbos in Lagos by suspected thugs, who prevented the residents from voting, and where voting had already taken place, disrupted and materials including ballot boxes and papers were burnt.

Below is the press statement:

PRESS STATEMENT BY NDIGBO LAGOS ON THE VIO LENT ACTIVITIES AT SOME POLLING UNITS IN IGBO HIGH DENSITY AREAS IN LAGOS STATE DURING THE PRESIDENTIAL AND NATIONAL ASSEMBLY ELECTIONS ON SATURDAY 23RD FEBRUARY 2019

We refer to the Presidential and National Assembly elections held nationwide on Saturday, 23rd February 2019 and the violence and disruption of voting at targeted locations in Lagos and state as follows.

1. We commend Lagosians generally for turning out to exercise their civic rights of electing our leaders during the Presidential and National Assembly elections last Saturday.

2. We equally commend Ndigbo in Lagos in particular for their impressive turn out for the elections in response to our earlier call out notices through radio jingles, press conference and other means.

3. We got very credible reports that while voting was going on peacefully, there were sudden unprovoked, politically motivated and targeted violent attacks at various Igbo high density voting polling units across parts of Lagos State by some thugs armed with dangerous weapons. The affected areas includes but are not limited to, Mushin, Okota, FESTAC, Aguda and some parts of Ejigbo.

4. Consequently, the voters, mainly of Igbo extraction and the electoral officers scattered, some were injured and the voting materials were either set on fire or torn and scattered; that marked the end of voting in those areas, thus disenfranchising thousands of Igbos.

5. We, Ndigbo Lagos, want to remind all and sundry that Igbos are full blooded citizens of Federal Republic of Nigeria and therefore are entitled to all rights and privileges conferred upon all citizens of this country by the constitution, irrespective of their place of domicile within Nigeria.

6. We, Ndigbo Lagos, therefore condemn the unwarranted, unprovoked and politically motivated targeted attacks on the Igbos; which was followed by threats of attacks on Igbos and their economic interests in Lagos.

7. We call upon the law enforcement authorities and INEC to identify and deal with the individuals involved in this electoral violence.

8. We invite INEC to immediately set a date for the conduct of repeat elections in the affected areas in accordance with the electoral law and guidelines to ensure that the votes of these disenfranchised eligible Nigerians count.

9. We equally call on the Law enforcement agencies to ensure adequate security coverage during the rerun election.

10. In the light of the threats on Igbos and their economic interests, we request the security agencies to adopt all necessary proactive and preventive measures to guard and
secure lives and properties of Igbos and all others in Lagos State.

11. We call upon Ndigbo in Lagos to remain calm, law abiding and go about their lawful businesses without let or hindrance, but with due respect and courtesies to the government and traditional institutions in their host communities across Lagos State.

12. Ndigbo Lagos hereby assure Igbos that we are monitoring the situation and are in close consultation and synergy with all relevant government agencies and non-governmental organisations in Lagos with a view to protecting the rights and interests of Ndigbo at this trying time and beyond.

13. We acknowledge with gratitude the messages of support, solidarity and assurance from various important organisations, such as Afenifere, at this time and look forward to the continuation of the excellent relationship between Ndigbo and our Yoruba brothers and sisters and other residents in Lagos State.

For Ndigbo Lagos:
Gen. Obi Abel Umahi (Rtd)

President General
Mr. Charles Nwodo Jr
Deputy Director of Communication and Strategy

Featured

TEF Entrepreneurship: Tony Elumelu Foundation Sets March 22 to Announce 2026 Cohort

Published

22 hours ago

March 20, 2026

Eric

The Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF), the leading philanthropy empowering young African entrepreneurs will announce the 12th cohort of the flagship TEF Entrepreneurship Programme on Sunday, March 22, 2026.

In 2026, the Foundation will empower a total of 3,200 entrepreneurs across all its entrepreneurship programmes:
1,751 entrepreneurs through Heirs Holdings Group: Heirs Energies, Transcorp Power, Transcorp Hotels, and United Capital; 1,049 entrepreneurs in partnership with the European Commission, OACPS, BMZ and GIZ; 100 entrepreneurs in partnership with Sèmè City Development Agency; 100 entrepreneurs in partnership with DEG, the German Development Agency; 100 entrepreneurs in partnership with the IKEA Foundation, UNICEF’s Generation Unlimited and the Dutch Government; and 100 entrepreneurs in partnership with UNDP and the Rwandan Ministry of Youth and Arts.

Applications to the flagship programme were received from over 265,000 young Africans, representing all 54 African countries, underscoring Africa’s vibrant entrepreneurial sector and the funding challenge for entrepreneurs. The new cohort will join the TEF Alumni community of more than 24,000 entrepreneurs.

The selection process is conducted by Ernst & Young, ensuring an independent and rigorous assessment of applicants.

Each selected Tony Elumelu Entrepreneur will receive $5,000 in non-refundable seed capital, access to world-class business management training on TEFConnect, one-on-one mentorship, and entry into a powerful network of investors, partners, and other entrepreneurs.

The Tony Elumelu Foundation has empowered over 2.5 million young Africans with access to business management training on our proprietary digital hub, TEFConnect, and disbursed over US$100 million in seed capital to more than 24,000 selected entrepreneurs. Collectively, these entrepreneurs have generated $4.2 billion in revenue and created more than 1.5 million direct and indirect jobs. Through our support for African entrepreneurs, TEF has lifted 2.1 million Africans above the poverty line, and positively impacted more than 4 million African households, with 46% of supported entrepreneurs being African women.

Ahead of the upcoming announcement, Tony O. Elumelu, C.F.R., Founder of the Tony Elumelu Foundation, reiterates his unwavering belief in the potential of Africa’s entrepreneurs:

“The future of Africa will be built by Africans who create businesses, generate jobs and solve the challenges of our continent. At the Tony Elumelu Foundation, we believe that empowering entrepreneurs is the most sustainable path to Africa’s economic transformation.

I look forward to announcing and congratulating the 2026 cohort of Tony Elumelu Entrepreneurs and look forward to witnessing the impact they will create across our continent.”

The general public is invited to join, virtually.

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Eid-El-Fitr: Glo Felicitates with Muslims, Urges National Unity, Compassion

Published

23 hours ago

March 20, 2026

Eric

High premium Technology Company, Globacom, has felicitated with Muslims across Nigeria as they celebrate Eid-el-Fitr festival which marks the successful completion of the Ramadan fast.

In a goodwill message released in Lagos, the company commended the resilience and devotion shown by the faithful during the 30 days of spiritual reflection, sacrifice, and abstinence.

Globacom emphasized the importance of love, sacrifice, and community, encouraging Nigerians to embody these values.

The company explained that the end of Ramadan should serve as a springboard for continued personal growth, urging Nigerians to “use Eid-El-Fitri as a moment to reflect on their spiritual journey, promote the spirit of being one’s brother’s keeper, regardless of faith or background, and make sacrifices towards building a more prosperous and peaceful nation for all”.

Globacom enjoined its millions of subscribers to utilize the network’s innovative and affordable data and voice offerings to enhance their festive experience. It reaffirmed its commitment to providing seamless connectivity and ensuring that family and friends can stay in touch, share moments of joy, and exchange Sallah greetings throughout the holidays and beyond.

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Reno, Fani-Kayode’s Brains Configured to Say Anything and Delete – Dele Momodu

Published

2 days ago

March 18, 2026

Eric

By Eric Elezuo

Renowned journalist and a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Chief Dele Momodu, has come down hard on two loyalists of President Bola Tinubu, Reno Omokri and Femi Fani-Kayode, who were ambassadors-designate, before being posted to Mexico and Germany respectively.

Momodu, in a statement titled Reno Omokri and Femi Fani-Kayode: A Tale of Two Shameless friends, and posted on his verified social media handles, including Instagram, noted that the two men have proved themselves as very ‘shameless’, with brains configured to say anything and delete immediately.

While referring to Reno and Fani-Kayode as two perpetual agents of perfidy’, Momodu informed that his statement was in other not to give the ‘two…friends’ the impression to think they could bully him into silence and submission.

“No. They can’t. They both have no credibility whatsoever. Together, they’ve expressed the worst views ever about BOLA TINUBU that they will never be able to erase, or clean up, in a million years, except the world finally comes to an end,” he said.

While maintaining that he stands by his qualification of President Tinubu as a dictator, he clarified that the duo of Rwno and Fani-Kayode has disparaged and said worst things about Tinubu in the past, with whom they are hobnobbying with at the present.

Momodu revealed that his suspension of his weekly column on ThisDay and The Boss Newspaper was out of respect for some Yoruba elders, for Tinubu, and not to be critical of him as he did to his predecessors, saying that he has nothing against the president except for his consistent dive into the world of dictatorship and tyranny.

The Ovation Magazine publisher berated the duo of Reno and Fani-Kayode for severally reaching out to him privately for publicity. He also boted that he is not a victim of poor upbringing as the two men constantly portray. He further contrasted himself from the two men, saying he does not fight like pigs, and unlike the duo, has a job.

Read the statement in full

RENO OMOKRI & FEMI FANI-KAYODE: A TALE OF TWO SHAMELESS FRIENDS…

I was going to ignore these two perpetual agents of perfidy but later decided to respond to them just in case they think they could bully me into 🔕 silence and submission.

No. They can’t. They both have no credibility whatsoever. Together, they’ve expressed the worst views ever about BOLA TINUBU that they will never be able to erase, or clean up, in a million years, except the world finally comes to an end.

The only reason I could adduce for Tinubu’s tolerance of both irritants is desperation and his inability to find better people to do the dirty jobs. The brains of these ones have been configured to say anything and delete immediately.

I have never disparaged TINUBU in my life. I have never called him a murderer. I have never called him a drug baron or addict. I’m intelligent enough, not to say what I have no proof of. Only morons talk without thinking. I thank God for good upbringing. I do not fight like pigs. And I have a job and manage my modest income. I’m not seeking government appoints. I know how many times Femi and Reno have reached out to me, privately, either begging for publicity or apologizing for attacking me publicly.

All I have accused Tinubu of is DICTATORSHIP and I stand by it with my full chest. I oppose tyranny because I once suffered under it. Chief Moshood Abiola won an election but dictatorship deprived him of his victory. Why should we replace military dictators with civilian slavemasters. That’s my only grouse against TINUBU. Because of our past association, I have been partial and generous to him by not being as critical of him as I did to his predecessors.
Because of TINUBU, I stopped writing my PENDULUM column on the Backpage of Thisday and The Boss newspapers. Also, out of respect for Yoruba elder statesmen, including retired Generals who pleaded that we give him time to stabilize. They are alive to bear me witness.

How Femi and Reno can continue to harass people on behalf of a TINUBU they’ve permanently damaged and sent to the cleaners really baffles me.

But this is Nigeria…

– AARE BASORUN AKINROGUN DELE MOMODU