The Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 general elections, Peter Obi, has said every Nigerian, irrespective of their state of origin or place of residence, deserves to be treated with dignity and respect.
Obi made this known while reacting to the recent reports of the deportation of citizens of Osun State by the Lagos State government, noting that “this is not merely a concern for Osun State but for all Nigerians who uphold the principles of unity, fairness, and justice.”
Obi on his X on Monday night implored all Nigerians to remain calm and vigilant as they awaited the outcome of the investigation.
He wrote, “I am deeply saddened and shocked by the recent reports of the deportation of citizens mostly of Osun State origin by Lagos State authorities. This is not merely a concern for Osun State but for all Nigerians who uphold the principles of unity, fairness, and justice.
“I find this action very distasteful because of the far-reaching effects it will have on our national cohesion and development. As a pan-Nigerian advocate, I vehemently oppose any form of discrimination, injustice, or violation of our citizens’ rights.
“Let us always remember that we are all Nigerians, united by a common destiny. And that it is our collective duty to uphold the values of unity, fairness, and justice, and to stand against any form of discrimination or injustice. Our constitution guarantees every Nigerian citizen the right to reside and find livelihood in any and every part of the federation.”
“Meanwhile, the security agencies in Osun State are closely monitoring the situation to ensure the safety and well-being of the deported youths.
“Together, let us strive for a Nigeria where every citizen is accorded dignity and respect, regardless of their background or place of origin or residence. A new and different Nigeria is indeed possible! Let us strive towards it in unity,” he said.
SaharaReporters had reported how the Nigeria Police Force in conjunction with the Lagos State Task Force packed hundreds of residents and young people from the streets of the state on Friday and dumped them in Osun State.
One of the youths who said he was taken away by the Nigerian policemen at his place of work on Friday afternoon narrated his ordeal to SaharaReporters.
He said the law enforcement agents packed young people from Ajah, TBS and Island areas of the state and gathered them inside an uncompleted building at the Makoko police station before moving them to a forest in Ilesha town in Osun State.
He said there were about five luxurious buses filled with the youth that were taken to Osun State in the company of policemen.
He said, “We were arrested around 10pm yesterday and they dropped us at Ilesha in Osun State inside the bus and told us we should go and they even threatened to shoot a gun. We were arrested by police ifficers, they took us from Makoko police station to Elemoro and we were taken from Elemoro to Osun. We were plenty. It is about five luxurious buses. We were plenty. They told us that we were arrested because they wanted us to go back to our states.
“They parked people from Ajah, Ibeju Lekki, TBS, Agarawu, and Island. We were kept inside one uncompleted building inside the cell.”
“Police officers followed us. They were the ones that even dumped us inside the forest. One of the officers wore a police uniform while others were task force jackets,” he had added.
