The Igbo people are an ethnic group in Nigeria. They are primarily found in Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo States, the South Eastern part of Nigeria.
On Saturday, March 18, MDB gathered information from various individuals, especially South Easterners who were reportedly denied their civic rights to cast their votes due to their tribe, complexion and choice of candidate at the 2023 gubernatorial election.
The allegations is coming days after MC Oluomo, the chairman of Lagos parks and garages and a renowned thug for the political party, All Progressive Congress (APC) threatened to assault Igbos and other individuals who will not be voting for the incumbent governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who is looking to retain his position in the gubernatorial election.
In the viral video, MC Oluomo was seen addressing supporters of APC at a meeting.
Charging those who were in attendance, Oluomo cautioned those whose plan is to vote for another candidate aside from those representing APC.
“We have begged them. If they don’t want to vote for us, it is not a fight. Tell them, mama Chukwudi, if you don’t want to vote for us, sit down at home. Sit down at home,” MC Oluomo said in pidgin English as seen in a viral video shared on Twitter.
ALSO READ: Atiku Issues Stern Warning To Political Leaders, Urges Them To Desist From Election Violence
Watch the video below.
VIDEO: MC Oluomo threatens Igbo voters ahead of Lagos election, says: If you no won vote for us, sit down for house” pic.twitter.com/a9U89jTIeB
— Ogun Watch (@OgunwatchNG) March 16, 2023
ALSO READ: Sanwo-Olu Condemns Electoral Violence As He Casts Vote
Although MC Oluomo has since come out to downplay his statement in a another follow-up video, political thugs have continued to attack voters in Lagos state.
According to complainants, especially from Igbos, and those opposing the ruling party, APC, they have reportedly been halted by political thugs from going to various polling units to cast their votes in the state.
Watch videos and read comments from netizens pertaining to the attack below.
Look at the blood flowing mostly from Igbos in Lagos all because they want to exercise their franchise albeit no Igbo on the ballot pic.twitter.com/JJONIXAVum
— Peter Obi Stan supporter (@omoelerinjare) March 18, 2023
They said we shouldn't see it as tribal, that it's political, all the people bleeding in Lagos are Igbos, Igbo blood watering the floor of Yoruba land and it's not tribal? pic.twitter.com/MYHEca3m9v
— Ikechukwu (@iyke_nwabuko) March 18, 2023
https://twitter.com/mindset_tweet/status/1637034588647174144?s=20
https://twitter.com/novieverest/status/1636627307870691328?s=20
Situation Report at Alimosho, Lagos State.
They are currently denying the Igbos from entering to compound to cast their votes#SackSeyimakinde| Kate Henshaw| 49 SANs Dogs #ElluPee| Gbadebo Rhodes| Dogs #NigerianElections2023| APC in Lagos pic.twitter.com/YBRZNbri4u
— preach love ❤️ (@redcap_blondie) March 18, 2023
I think as an Igbo person, you should kill the idea of investing in Lagos. They don’t deserve your tax.
— FS Yusuf (@FS_Yusuf_) March 18, 2023
I have relations who go on and on about Igbo-this, Igbo-that, saying GRV isn't fit to be governor of Lagos because he's half-Igbo.
And I look at them like, "Do these people know what they're talking about? Do they remember my children are half-Igbo?— Olùkọ́, Èèyàn Pétérù Obi (@HouseSpes) March 17, 2023
You said GRV will name some parts of Lagos after Odumegwu Ojukwu. Even called Ojukwu gardens.
What is the connection or relationship between GRV and Ojukwu? Then why are you shocked that Igbos are being beaten up and killed?
— DISTINGUISHED Everest (@novieverest) March 18, 2023
https://twitter.com/MarinatedTurks/status/1637076172411400194?s=20
When letter to whatever it is was running the agenda of Lagos is no man's land, we tried to let him know the consequences.
Today he is sharing videos and tweets of Igbos being brutalized. You don't set up a whole tribe and then join them to cry when the evil starts.
— DISTINGUISHED Everest (@novieverest) March 18, 2023
I am currently sponsoring 10 kids.
All Yoruba.Last year, a Yoruba gave me a 1.5M project. He didn't take any dime from it.
Don't let any illiterate fool you, nobody Igbo can take Lagos from you.
We are cohabiting peacefully before the election.
So what went wrong suddenly?
— Chinedu Ihekwoaba (@thepoetpreneur) March 18, 2023
Election has descended into chaos and violence across the country.But supporters of Buhari are triggered because Buhari is being blamed?
Please who is in charge of Nigeria's security? Who controls the police and army? You guys have consistently defended this failures for 8 years
— Kelvin Odanz (@MrOdanz) March 18, 2023
— Kate Amaka Henshaw (@HenshawKate) March 18, 2023
I was harassed today at the Polling Unit, told that I looked like an Igbo person. It's obvious that the ruling party plans to use intimidation, tactical disenfranchisement, violence, thuggery and tribal bigotry to hold on to power. This is not an election. This is a crime watch.
— Dr. Olawale Ogunlana (@olawalesmd) March 18, 2023
If MC knows his family can be touched he won't go about threatening to touch other people's family. You care about MC's family but not the people he's threatening. You're not ready and your hypocrisy stinks.
— KHAN'✨ (@khanofkhans11_) March 18, 2023
https://twitter.com/UnkleAyo/status/1637082355008430083?s=20
https://twitter.com/UnkleAyo/status/1637077925332766720?s=20
https://twitter.com/UnkleAyo/status/1637058000950112259?s=20
https://twitter.com/_kay_leb/status/1637090528905895937?s=20
I will continue to tell you APC have nothing but what’s going on right now to offer Nigerians. Religion, tribalism, intimidation
— Mc AMD (@Michaelamunde) March 18, 2023
APC is not a political party. It’s a criminal organisation that has used violence, bribery, and intimidation to capture Nigeria. Everyone who supports their crimes should be ashamed.
— Dr Ayo Sogunro (@ayosogunro) March 18, 2023
As the hit me I don go home. Not about to die for Nigeria. So sorry to the girl they beat up at my PU.
I hate it here.
— Governor Rey of Lagos (@iamTheRere) March 18, 2023
But this is not fair.. You stop people from voting cos they are igbos.
Igbos ask to have thier own country (Biafra) then it's also a problem.
What is actually wrong with this country?
Omo Igbo Alex Otti surulere Army
— Jeff Barnes (@jeffbarnes360) March 18, 2023
Imagine tribalism so ingrained that you call a Yoruba man with no Igbo parentage an “Omo Igbo” as a slur.
Like, you want to demarket your political opponent, so you call him an Igbo man.
Do you realize how wild that is?
Tribalism on steroids. pic.twitter.com/PBqw8f56Iw
— People That Steal Doughnut (@__ptsd__) March 17, 2023
https://twitter.com/TobiDeolu/status/1637092189112025088?s=20
APC thugs in mushin beating this man for insisting on voting for Labour Party
Army #ElectionResults Benin Ogun state Rivers Eti-Osa Channels Gbadebo Rhodes #ElluPee Omo Igbo Surulere Enough is Enough Ikorodu EFCC Sanwoolu #TRUM2024 Chinedu Lagos state Ogbeni Dipo #GRV4Lagos pic.twitter.com/QdffgIXu2w
— Sure Blog (@SureBlognaija) March 18, 2023
https://twitter.com/TheBellaGray/status/1637091386729136130?s=20
No Election in PU 11 Ojoola street, Oka – Afa/Ejigbo Oshodi isolo, Lagos and all neighbouring PUs.
“If you are not voting APC, go home.”
“Omo Igbo!” pic.twitter.com/dvhPR5lIHj— Chiy Chiy (@Nasoweeseam) March 18, 2023
My annoyance and why I'm so so bothered is that, I wasn't attacked because I wanted to vote LP but first because I'm IGBO.
Can A Referendum be declared already?
When did being igbo mean you're guilty?
I keep seeing the face of that guy calling me omo igbo— Mind Affairs (@Dmindaffairs) March 18, 2023
https://twitter.com/Hardeshinaisma1/status/1636376172094435329?s=20
https://twitter.com/Cheenenyeaku/status/1637081838098210816?s=20
I said this yesterday. In Lagos state if you're not Yoruba you're an Omo Igbo. All our lives are at risk. We cannot continue like this !!! https://t.co/EUSxMrULNR
— NKEM #PeterObi2023 (@Nkemchor_) March 18, 2023
https://twitter.com/_ucheyy/status/1637097456235163651?s=20