Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the apex socio-cultural organization representing the Igbo people, has raised alarm over what it described as the consistent and deliberate disenfranchisement of Igbos residing in Lagos State during local government elections.
The group decried a recurring pattern of electoral suppression allegedly targeted at the Igbo community. According to a spokesperson of the organization, Igbos have, over successive electoral cycles, been denied their constitutional right to participate in the democratic process in the state.
“Do you know that the Igbo who are resident in Lagos State are denied the opportunity to vote?” the spokesperson stated. “This is not just happening in this election; it occurs during every cycle of election,” he added.
Ohanaeze pointed out that despite being tax-paying and law-abiding residents of Lagos, many Igbos face numerous obstacles when trying to vote, ranging from denial of voter accreditation to intimidation at polling units. These actions, the group claims, are part of a broader effort to suppress their political participation in the state.
Allegations of targeted voter suppression against the Igbo community in Lagos are not new. Similar concerns were raised during past general elections, particularly in neighborhoods with high concentrations of non-indigenous residents. Reports of harassment, destruction of ballot materials, and threats at polling centers have marred the electoral experience for many in these areas.
Ohanaeze is calling on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), civil society organizations, and relevant government agencies to investigate these claims and implement safeguards to ensure the inclusivity and fairness of future elections. The organization insists that the right to vote and be voted for is a fundamental democratic principle that must be upheld for all citizens, regardless of ethnicity or place of origin.
The group concluded by urging the federal government to ensure the protection of minority communities across the country, warning that continued disenfranchisement could undermine national unity and peace.
