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By Oscar Okhifo
A prominent chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State, Joe Igbokwe, has sparked intense debate with a bold claim that the ongoing violence and insecurity in the South-East region are being perpetrated by Igbos themselves, not by Fulani herdsmen as widely alleged.
In a strongly worded post on his Facebook page on Thursday, Igbokwe dismissed the narrative blaming Hausa or Fulani herdsmen for the crisis as a “blatant and pathological lie,” insisting that the truth must be told, no matter how uncomfortable.
“It is Igbos killing Igbos, it is ndigbos destroying Igboland and putting the blame on Hausa/Fulani herdsmen. This is not our culture. This is sad,” he wrote.
The APC stalwart alleged that since 2015, politicians in the region have been recruiting and arming local gunmen to serve their personal interests, including winning elections, settling disputes, and seizing lands.
“Since 2015, our politicians have been using gunmen to do elections, settle scores, grab land, and serve as personal security. What is wrong with us?” he queried.
Igbokwe, who formerly served as Special Adviser to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State on Drainage and Water Resources, also raised concerns over the rise in ethnic bigotry across Nigeria, warning that such division poses a serious threat to national unity.
“Ethnic bigotry is spreading like wildfire in Nigeria, and it is dangerous. Time to wake up,” he cautioned.
His comments have ignited widespread reactions on social media. While some users hailed his forthrightness, others criticized him for what they called a sweeping generalization and an oversimplification of a complex security situation.
The South-East has for years grappled with insecurity, including attacks on government facilities, security forces, and civilians.
While external actors have often been blamed, Igbokwe’s remarks point to growing concern over internal sabotage and political complicity.
Echoing similar sentiments earlier this year, Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo expressed dismay over the wave of violence in the region, lamenting that it was Igbos killing fellow Igbos and destroying their own land. He cautioned those sponsoring or executing acts of violence to have a rethink, warning that lives lost cannot be regained.
At the time of filing this report, no major political leader from the South-East had issued a formal response to Igbokwe’s assertions.