APC chieftain Joe Igbokwe says the ongoing violence in the South-East is self-inflicted, not caused by Fulani herdsmen. He warns of rising ethnic bigotry in Nigeria.
A prominent chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State, Joe Igbokwe, has spoken out against the unending wave of violence rocking the South-East region, saying the real culprits are not Fulani herdsmen, but Igbos themselves.
In a strongly worded post on his verified Facebook page on Thursday, Igbokwe expressed dismay over what he called the “blatant and pathological lies” surrounding the crisis in Igboland.
“It is Igbo killing Igbo, it is Igbo destroying Igboland and putting the blame on Hausa/Fulani herdsmen. This is not our culture. This is sad,” he wrote.
Igbokwe, who hails from Anambra State, is known for his forthright commentary on Igbo affairs and has often criticized the increasing violence and insecurity in the region. According to him, the attempt to blame outsiders for the mayhem only distracts from the truth and hinders lasting peace.
His comments have sparked renewed debate over the root causes of the crisis in the South-East, where incidents of killings, arson, and attacks on public infrastructure have been on the rise in recent years.
On Wednesday, the APC stalwart also raised concerns over what he described as the “unchecked and growing menace” of ethnic bigotry in Nigeria. In another post, he warned that many Nigerians were failing to grasp the full danger of tribal hatred spreading across the country.
“Ethnic bigotry is growing hopelessly like wildfire in Nigeria, and our eyes are not open to see the danger. I pray that the veil covering our eyes will be removed so that we can see clearly. Make we de play ooo,” he said.
The former aide to the Lagos State Governor emphasized the need for unity, truth, and introspection as Nigeria continues to navigate complex ethnic and security challenges.
Igbokwe’s comments come at a time when national conversations around regional insecurity, tribal mistrust, and ethnic profiling are gaining momentum ahead of the 2027 general elections