A number of persons of Igbo extraction were last week reportedly rounded up in Lagos and sent back to the East, an act widely decried as ‘deportation’ by upset Igbos, as well as sections of the media. Purportedly dropped off at the Onitsha Bridge Head, their plight attracted the attention of Anambra State Governor, Mr. Peter Obi, who proceeded to write a strongly worded letter of complaint to
President Goodluck Jonathan without, according to the Lagos State government, calling or writing Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola SAN. Obi alleged an ethnic agenda against the Igbos in Lagos, whilst Fashola responded by cautioning Obi not to incite Igbos against the Lagos State Government. In the midst of this war of words, This Day News contacted the Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Ade Ipaye, who spoke on the misconceptions and negative insinuations about the purported deportation and why the Lagos State Government took the step…
The Anambra State Governor, Mr. Peter Obi has described as unconstitutional, illegal, the recent ‘forced deportation of 86 Nigerians of Igbo Ethnicity from Lagos State’. Many have said this is a very disturbing development that may have vast national security and political implications. What could have prompted this action by Lagos State which most Nigerians find hospitable and see as a home to all?
I think we must start by clarifying His Excellency’s allegations. First, you cannot deport any Nigerian from one part of the country to another, so I think, with respect, that it is a wrong choice of word. Second is the fact that only 14 persons, and not 86, were assisted to their places of origin in this particular instance, having been found disoriented, homeless and destitute in Lagos. They were taken to Anambra because that is where they told our officers they came from.
Others in the same situation had been similarly assisted to various parts of the country. It is therefore an unnecessary generalisation to make it an Igbo ethnic issue.
Also, if something is said to be unconstitutional or illegal, there must be a provision of the constitution or law that prohibits it. We are yet to see that. As to what prompted Lagos to do what it did, it is simply the deep concern of the State Government for the welfare of Lagos residents as well as the welfare of the affected persons themselves. If a man is found homeless and without any money, friends, relatives, employment or means of livelihood and he says he knows where he came from, where he can find relatives and friends to give him long term rehabilitation, I think it is only fair to assist him to regain his orientation. I do not see any law that says anyone who does not have a home or job can simply commandeer our public places and impose himself on passers-by as a beggar or hawker. There are indeed health, safety and security issues there, both for the destitute and the rest of society.
Is there any particular reason a particular ethnic group was targeted for this purported deportation?
Certainly not. Persons from various parts of the country had been similarly affected at various times. Even Yorubas to our neighbouring States. Another State wrote to us recently in similar circumstances about persons of Lagos origin found destitute there and we took them in without any complaints; so it is not a big deal really. Indeed it was our duty to receive and assist such persons.
Most of the 86 persons who deported back appeared rather frail, sick or mentally challenged. They don’t appear as possible security risk to the society.
As I said, there are only 14 in this particular instance. It is about security, because I am sure you know what a frail but desperate man can do, especially if he is mentally unstable. But what about the health implications? You said some of them appeared sick. You would therefore agree with me that this is also a public health issue. As a group of residents our health may be only as good as that of the most unhealthy among us. Epidemics hardly discriminate, once they start. That said, I can assure you that we give medical attention where needed before sending them home.
If the idea was to deport Igbos, why dump them in Anambra State? As some have argued, all Igbos are not from Anambra?
The only people who were taken to Anambra were those who claimed that they came from that State. It is wrong to suggest that we took all destitute Igbos we could find to Anambra State. That was never our style and that didn’t happen.
In September last year, the Lagos State Government reportedly embarked on a similar action by rounding up and forcibly deporting Igbos and some are now saying there might be an ethnic agenda to this. What is your view on this?
That is entirely false and the records are there for all to see. As a group and as individuals, Igbos live unmolested in Lagos. You can find them in our homes, schools, hospitals, markets, everywhere, and that is how it must be. They are our brothers, wives, husbands and friends. They are teachers in our schools and business owners in all the nooks and crannies of the State. Lagos does not discriminate. I think the most unfortunate aspect of this controversy is that it arouses unnecessary suspicions for our otherwise happy relationship; most needlessly, I must say. The policy in question was not designed with any ethnic group in mind. Indeed it is for the general welfare.
Was there any effort to inform the Anambra State Government and prepare them to receive these persons before they were sent to the state?
Certainly. The records are there. Advance notice was given in writing to the Anambra State Government, inviting them to come and verify and assist those people who claimed that they were from that State. Anambra State Government received and acknowledged the letter.
Some Lagosians are worried about the residency law in Lagos. What are the likely implications of the law when it takes full effect?
There is nothing to worry about and everything to be happy for. The Resident Registration Law is for planning purposes. Ultimately, it is for the general welfare of all that have anything to do in Lagos. We take it for granted, but it is impossible to govern a State like Lagos without knowing the number of residents we have, the sex and age distribution, who lives where? This is a megacity of about 20 million people, yet it is the smallest in Nigeria, in terms of land space. Lagos State Government is managing challenges of extraordinary proportions. If we slip up for a moment, it is easy to see a total traffic gridlock with beggars and street traders all over the place, all open places taken up by a veritable army of desperate and unemployed people who had come to Lagos to try their luck. We are not against visitors from home and abroad, but we are against people doing what they like, making all our open spaces into their toilets, bathrooms and cafeteria at the expense of the general welfare. It doesn’t matter whether they are indigenous Lagosians, Yorubas or Igbo. We have a duty as a government to keep that tendency under control.
Is the residency law in Lagos not in conflict with the provision of the Constitution that permits every Nigerian the freedom of movement?
Our Residents Registration Law is not in conflict with the Constitution. It is actually in pursuance of the constitutional objectives. It requires all residents to register. All residents, no matter where they came from or when they arrived. But it doesn’t disentitle them from entering or moving freely across Lagos in pursuit of their legitimate business. We need to know how many schools to establish and where; how many hospitals, town planning offices, markets, etc; how is the population spread across the State. If we don’t know these things, how on earth can we pretend to plan for a megacity of twenty million?
When enforced, what will be the lot of persons who reside in Lagos-Ogun border towns and work in Lagos when the residential permit policy/law is enforced?
We do not have any residential permit policy or Law, so the question of enforcement is irrelevant. Nigerians are welcome to live anywhere they like while doing business in Lagos. That will never become an offence under the Residents Registration Law or any other law.
The Anambra state governor has threatened to go to court over this issue. In your opinion would a political solution not be preferable to litigation?
I am totally surprised by the turn of events. Ordinarily, I thought His Excellency would first consult with his brother Governor even before going to press. I am sure they have had occasion to deliberate extensively on less important subjects in the past. Now we are already discussing legal action when there had been no engagement at all between these two State Governments. We are not afraid of legal action, but I hope it will not come to that.
Governor Babatunde Fashola has accused Governor Peter Obi of inciting Igbos against Lagos. Do you subscribe to that view?
It does appear so, for reasons I already gave. This event is being blown out of proportion, most unfortunately.
What is your view on Governor Obi writing to President Goodluck Jonathan complaining about this deportation without first writing to or calling Governor Fashola?
It is not what I would expect, but I guess different individuals would have different styles, objectives and motivations. And perhaps, as we speak here, Governor Obi is already talking it over with his friend, Governor Fashola. I won’t be surprised as I know both as perfect gentlemen. If the President is involved, it should be to explore the necessity of giving Lagos a special grant to enable it cope with these extraordinary pressures. People from all over Nigeria are welcome in Lagos, but we must be assisted to deal with the downside. I think Nigeria generates enough from the airports, seaports, businesses and industrial concerns in Lagos to justify a special grant. After all, that can only be for the welfare of all Nigerians who live here or have one thing or the other to do in Lagos. Thus far, we are left literally to fend for ourselves, which I think is unfair.
The Igbos have also complained that as part of the ethnic agenda to ensure that Igbos are forced out of Lagos, a Yoruba leader has been imposed on the spare parts dealers at Matori Motor Parts Market without any election. What is your view on this?
I think we should end the discussion before it gets out of hand and provokes unnecessary sentiments. The State Government does not play market place politics. In Lagos State, government does not appoint or elect market leaders. And I think to be fair, we must acknowledge the fact that Lagos has been a good home for Igbos and indeed for all Nigerians. We are delighted to be just that and I don’t think we deserve these negative insinuations at all.
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