Vox Pop
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MIXED reactions have continued to trail the deportation of 72 people to Anambra State by the Lagos State government. Many Nigerians are of the opinion that the deportation is against the constitutional rights of the deportees. Below are the positions of some Nigerians on the issue.
Samuel Ifeanyi, Engineer: I didn’t see this as an issue since the Lagos state government informed its counterpart in Anambra before carrying out the action. I think that Governor Peter Obi would have contacted his Lagos counterpart before making the issue public. Whether we like it or not, this will create an avoidable hatred between the Igbo and the Yoruba.
Johnson Dieke, Graduate: It is very bad because when Babatunde Fashola was contesting election as governor of the state in 2007 and re-election in 2011, he did not see these people as destitute or consider to carry out this policy, as he depended so much on the votes of Igbos and other tribes in the state to win elections, but now he feels it is right to execute such a policy since he will not need votes again.
Charles Ezugwu, Banker: The governor hates Igbo people. He banned okada, and tricycles in some routes and also planning to relocate Alaba, Idumota, Yaba, Trade Fair, Computer village and Ladipo markets, in a bid to further dislodge the Igbo, who are the major stakeholders in these markets.
Chinagorom Igattah, Corps Member: The Lagos State government is trying because most people in Lagos have no business being in the mega-city in the first place. But a cosmopolitan city like Lagos has its attractions for people from within and outside the country; both the good and the ugly are naturally attracted to it. So the state government tries and accommodate everybody.
Theresa Ezeora, Teacher: This is an abuse of Nigeria’s constitution and the rights of those 72 people. This is a clear threat to the rights and freedom of movement and the right to live in any part of the country by the Nigerian citizen. I am in support of those who said Lagos State should apologise to Nigerians because of this singular act.
Vincent Obinna, Undergraduate: I think the federal government should investigate this issue because it is unconstitutional. Whether those people are destitute or beggars, they have the right as Nigerians to live in any part of the country, Lagos inclusive.
Compiled by Anayo Ezugwu
— Aug. 19, 2013 @ 01:00 GMT
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Am a graduate, it is abosolute abuse of human right and siege of nigerian law. How can someone be deported within his country, the fact remains that some state gnverment has starte dividing this country. Inrespctive of mega city u want to turn lagos state it those nt call for this action. Had it been that fashiola has another chance to b voted for he will not do such a thing. Last year the governor of Abia state sack all the workers that are not indigen of Abia state, and we are saying we are one nigeria. Some like me who had his primary & secondary education and a lagos brought up, will not be safe, as am planing to go back to lagos to seek for job, as i have completed my nysc. Though he can do that to those who are igorant of the law. My question is this what is the position the law makers and the judiciary of this country on issues like this and that of Abia state goverment. As nigerians if you are not in your state your not safe in this country, secondly some people might be mute in this issue with the idea of, it is the igbos. But bear it in mind that this can of action do not affect only the igbos, despart the fact that igbos are have the highest % of the effect.