1st part of a series on the hydra-headed monster called the Lagos APC Mafia

Rex Osagie
21 min ago

The gubernatorial elections in Lagos, Nigeria is particularly important because it is the country's commercial capital, and is a microcosm of the country as it is the most diverse and cosmopolitan of all states. In addition, it is the face of the nation, as it hosts the largest number of foreigners and multinationals, thus it's stability and prosperity is of utmost concern to Nigeria, Africa and the world.

Few hours after the end of voting, the following quotes are worth sharing with our large audience:

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“I hope the Obidients and their LP have now realized that Lagos is not ‘no man’s land’. The state has indigenous owners and today they emphatically made the statement loud and clear.” 6.09pm

[color=#990000]Let 2023 be the last time of Igbo interference in Lagos politics. Let there be no repeat in 2027. Lagos is like Anambra, Imo, any Nigerian state. It is not No Man’s Land, not Federal Capital Territory. It is Yoruba land. Mind your business. 11.38pm -Bayo Onanuga, Newspaper Chief Executive, Director Media and Publicity Tinubu/Shettima APC Campaign Council - Mar 18, 2023 via Twitter




“Those that believed that Lagos is a "no man's land" have been roundly defeated, badly humiliated and finally taught the lesson of their lives by voters today in a peaceful, free and fair election. The matter is settled and the message is 8-fold:

… 4. That guests and aliens that reside in Lagos must know their place and NEVER claim the state as their own again. 5. That the liberal open door policy to guests and aliens must be reviewed and reforms and laws put in place to protect and secure the culture, identity and rights of the Yoruba in Lagos and to confirm and re-affirm the indisputable and incontrovertible fact that Lagos is not only part and parcel of the SW but also belongs to the Yoruba.” - Femi Fani-Kayode, Director, New Media of the APC Presidential Campaign Council - Mar 18, 2023 11.42pm via Twitter.

Please pardon the lengthy quotes, but I'd quote one more, then get to the crux of this discourse.

“Hope the Obi supporters believes now that Lagos belongs to Yoruba and they're now facing the consequences of Lagos being no man's land.” - Mr Musiliu Akinsanya (Mc Oluomo) - Chairman Lagos Parks and Garages Committee

The natural conclusion of an election is collation of votes and announcement of results. As of the time I write - 10 am WAT March 19, 2023, the results have not been announced, in fact, collation has been suspended till 11am today. The above statements were made yesterday, while voters were yet to return home in many localities.

Considering that results have not been announced, the “strong statement” which Bayo Onanuga refers to, is the same “lesson of their lives” Fani-Kayode refers to. Incontrovertibly, it is the widespread xenophobic, grossly shameful/shameless, violent attacks against perceived Igbos by members of the All Progressive Congress Mafia in Lagos state.

Ideally, Mr Akinsanya wouldn't be referenced in civil discourse, but a viral video he made 48 hours to the election, threatening “Iya Chukwudi” (an eponym for people of Igbo descent) “to vote APC or stay home”, turned out to be the field manual his mobsters, associates and ethnic militia took guidance from, in snatching ballot boxes, stabbing, shooting, and intimidating the remaining voters who overcame the fear of his widely publicised video.

The Igbos are one of Nigeria's three largest ethnic groups, the most integrated in all parts of the country, who bore the brunt of the country’s civil war and arguably the most prolific ethnic group. Social media is awash with videos and pictures of APC-led militia processions chanting threats during election hours, fetishes placed at polling units, voters sporting various degrees of injuries, machete cuts, and a female opposition party agent thoroughly battered and groaning on a hospital bed. Celebrities were not spared, as many had their phones confiscated by thugs and their security accomplices. Conventional media didn't get a fair chance to report events, as journalists were beaten up, equipment confiscated, and crew abducted or arrested depending on what branch of the mafia was present. Even “pure blood yorubas” were attacked for simply looking like Igbos. Personally, I took a punch to the chin from an APC thug, in the presence of two police effigies, for standing my ground that votes counted must be recorded on the result sheet, signed and a copy displayed at the polling unit. I am not Igbo.

This is the legacy of the APC Mafia in Lagos and the Mc from Oshodi who instigated Operation Wetié Vol.2 walks free. Instead, he has since joined his more sophisticated co-mobsters to gloat at their successful execution of the most divisive and violent election in our recent history.

To set the record straight, there was no Igbo candidate on the ballot for Saturdays’s governorship elections. The tag has come from the Labour Candidate Mr Gbadebo Vivour - Rhodes (an indigenous descendant of slave returnees with ancestry in Lagos), being associated with Mr Peter Obi, his party's presidential candidate who is of Igbo heritage.

From the quotes above, Lagos APC via their various spokespersons have admitted being responsible for the irresponsible xenophobic attacks that we witnessed all over our city.

At this point, it is impossible to tell in what direction we go from here, but what is certain is that seeds have been sown, they would germinate and bring forth fruit in due season. There would be consequences!

Dr Rex Osagie, Lagos Resident.



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There is nothing wrong in all the quotes in your write up. ...
Yes ,Lagos is not a "No Man's Land".
Yes, Lagos is a Yoruba land.
Yes, all of these brouhaha wouldn't have been necessary if some mischievous and kleptomaniac Igbos were not calling Lagos a no man's land.
Yes, the Lagos State House of Assembly must, as soon as possible, pass laws that will enshrine and uphold the Yoruba Identity, culture and heritage of Lagos