Umuahia Nigeria – In a decisive move the Igbo National Union Worldwide INU-W has issued a stern 30-day ultimatum to the Lagos State Government and the Federal Government of Nigeria to address the widespread and “incessant demolition” of properties and businesses belonging to Igbo entrepreneurs in Lagos The union has expressed profound concern over the perceived targeting of Igbo-owned developments warning that the silence from federal authorities and prominent Yoruba leaders could escalate ethnic tensions and compromise national harmony .
The Unions Grievance and Demand
The ultimatum conveyed in a statement signed by the Administrative Secretary of INU-W Mazi Austin-Mary Ndukwu highlights the “lamentations of anguish and despair” from Ndigbo residing in Lagos The union views the demolition exercises particularly those recently carried out at locations like the Trade Fair Complex as a “calculated design” to economically displace the Igbo community .
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Key points from the INU-W statement include
Accusation of Ethnic Bias The union directly accused the Lagos State Government under Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of operating a “dangerous agenda” aimed at financially crippling Igbo businesses and properties to force their return to the South-East “empty-handed” Criticism of Federal Silence INU-W expressed deep dissatisfaction with the apparent silence of the Federal Government and Yoruba elites which the union believes “emboldens this troubling trend” and is detrimental to peace and harmony The Ultimatum The core demand is a 30-day window for the Lagos State Government to negotiate a peaceful settlement with the owners of the demolished properties Consequences of Non-Compliance The union warned that failure to engage in dialogue and reach an amicable resolution would compel them to take “appropriate and lawful steps in defence of our people’s dignity and economic survival” cautioning that sustained hostility could provoke an “avoidable confrontation” The statement further stressed that Igbos are legitimate and significant stakeholders in Lagos having contributed immensely to the states commercial and infrastructural development .
Allegations of Targeting and Official Response
The issue of property demolitions in Lagos has become a highly contentious and politically charged matter especially following the demolition of structures in areas like the Trade Fair Complex in the Ojo Local Government Area The Igbo perspective as supported by INU-W and other prominent figures suggests .
The demolition exercises are disproportionately affecting properties owned or occupied by Igbo entrepreneurs The actions are politically motivated and constitute a form of marginalisation aimed at weakening the Igbo communitys economic base in the state .
Lagos State Governments Position
The Lagos State Government through officials like the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development Dr Oluyinka Olumide has consistently and vehemently denied any ethnic bias The state government maintains that the demolitions are strictly a matter of urban planning enforcement safety concerns and adherence to extant regulations The government asserts that the affected buildings particularly those at the Trade Fair Complex were pulled down because they lacked valid approvals from relevant authorities and posed “grave risks to public safety” The government has often cited the Nigerian Urban and Regional Planning Act 1992 and the Lagos State Urban and Regional Planning and Development Law 2019 to justify its actions stating the enforcement is in line with global best practices for achieving a “safe well-planned and sustainable Lagos” In some instances the Lagos government has even issued its own ultimatums such as the two-week ultimatum given to developers at the Trade Fair Complex to regularise their building approvals reinforcing its focus on physical planning compliance rather than land ownership or ethnic identity .
Calls for Federal Intervention
Beyond the INU-Ws demand other notable political figures have weighed in on the crisis calling for the intervention of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Hon Benjamin Kalu publicly appealed to the President to prevail upon the Lagos State Governor to stop the demolition exercise Kalu suggested that a more compassionate approach such as allowing affected property owners to regularise their documents instead of outright destruction should be adopted citing the current “hard times” in the country The INU-Ws 30-day ultimatum underscores the gravity of the situation and the mounting fears within the Igbo community regarding their economic security and inclusion in Lagos State placing immense pressure on both the state and federal governments to decisively address the crisis and prevent any further escalation of ethnic strife
Disclaimer
The news information presented here is based on available reports and reliable sources concerning the ultimatum issued by the Igbo National Union Worldwide INU-W Readers should cross-check updates from official news outlets government statements and other primary sources to verify the latest developments and official positions on the Lagos property demolitions .