7th May, 2024
By Kazeem Ugbodaga
On Monday, former Governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi lashed out at the Lagos State Government for deporting some homeless people to Osun State.
The former presidential candidate of Labour Party said “I am deeply saddened and shocked by the recent reports of the deportation of citizens mostly of Osun State origin by Lagos State authorities. This is not merely a concern for Osun State but for all Nigerians who uphold the principles of unity, fairness, and justice.
“I find this action very distasteful because of the far-reaching effects it will have on our National cohesion and development. As a pan-Nigerian advocate, I vehemently oppose any form of discrimination, injustice, or violation of our citizens’ rights.”
I am deeply saddened and shocked by the recent reports of the deportation of citizens mostly of Osun State origin by Lagos State authorities. This is not merely a concern for Osun State but for all Nigerians who uphold the principles of unity, fairness, and justice.
— Peter Obi (@PeterObi) May 6, 2024
But a flashback to 2011 when Obi was governor of Anambra State revealed his hypocrisy, his government arrested and deported beggars to Akwa Ibom and Ebonyi States.
That year, he had lampooned the then governor of Lagos, Babatunde Fashola for deporting beggars to Anambra State, but he followed suit to deport beggars to Akwa Ibom and Ebonyi.
A report by the Leadership newspaper on 4 December, 2011, showed that 29 women who displayed their children as strategy for getting alms were arrested in Awka and Onitsha, and repatriated to their home states; Ebonyi and Akwa Ibom states.
The Champions newspaper on the same date reported that Anambra State under Obi deported beggars to Akwa Ibom and Ebonyi.
The newspaper reported that in its determined efforts to rid the state environment of beggars daily increasing in their numbers, the Anambra State Government has issued an ultimatum to all the street beggars, especially those using children to beg in Anambra State to vacate the streets or face arrest within 72 hours.
The newspaper added that over 29 beggars with children had been arrested in Awka and Onitsha, warned and repatriated back to their various states of origin mostly Ebonyi and Akwa Ibom states to mention but a few.
The newspaper quoted the Director Child Development, Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development , Mr Emeka Ejide as saying the Ministry has repatriated more than 29 women begging with children to their various states and would not hesitate to deal with parents who still engage in such acts, describing them as products of Mammy market Onitsha where anything goes before its closure.