The Most Rev. Alfred Adewale Martins, the Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, has denounced all expressions of ethnic profiling as well as the violence that was seen in some areas of Lagos State before, during, and after the most recent elections.
The prelate urged the state government to call all parties to order and put in place a system for the swift restoration of peace and normalcy in a statement released on Wednesday and signed by the director of social communications, Rev. Fr. Anthony Godonu.
Martins warned that if the trend was not quickly reversed, it might endanger the state’s residents’ ability to live in peace.
The tension, hate speech, and violence, especially before, during, and after the recent Governorship and House elections, were described by him as unfortunate and unacceptable.
He pleaded with the police to protect everyone’s lives and property, regardless of tribe, religion, or ethnicity.
The clergy also urged Lagos residents to maintain their composure and avoid turning against one another.
He said that the racial and discriminatory remarks spreading, especially on social media, are not representative of Lagosians in general, who are known to be peace-loving, tolerant, and cosmopolitan, including by actively promoting inter-tribal marriages for many years.
“I call on everyone to put a stop to the spread of hate speech and fake news and to shun all forms of rancor.
“The divisive comments and behaviours, particularly along ethnic or tribal line is not conducive to good neigbourliness and peaceful coexistence,” he said.
Martins urged the residents of Lagos State to resist allowing the political establishment to sow such polarising emotions and disrupt their daily lives.
According to him, there is no difference between the rich and the poor, the privileged and the underprivileged because we are all equal in God’s eyes.
“We are all equal before God, we are Nigerians and have lived and interacted together as one people for decades in Lagos and other parts of our country.
“With the elections over, we hope that all those who have been fanning the embers of ethnic division will be more circumspect and desist from further heating up the polity.
“We must be law-abiding citizens and not take the law into our hands in any guise,” he said.
Martins expressed sympathy to the families of those who had lost loved ones and whose possessions had been damaged as a result of the violence in the state and across the nation.
Additionally, in an effort to aid in the nation’s healing process, he urged law enforcement agencies to take appropriate action where crimes have been committed.
