The Action Alliance (AA) in Lagos on Sunday urged politicians and their followers to avoid ethnic rivalry in the electioneering ahead of the forthcoming governorship and state assembly elections in the state.

Nureni Ayinla-Oniru, the Lagos State chairman of the party, appealed while speaking with journalists following some ethnic campaigns and tension between Yorubas and Igbos in the state ahead of the March 18 polls.

“Politicians should not heat up polity with ethnic bigotry. We should avoid anything that can result in an ethnic crisis.

“If we don’t manage this trend ahead of the elections, it can cause mayhem that will affect the masses beyond imagination.

“When trouble comes, the children of those fanning hate and instigating violence will not be there,” he said.

Mr Ayinla-Oniru, who noted that nothing could be achieved in an atmosphere of hatred and bitterness among various ethnic nationalities resident in the state, stressed the need for all political gladiators not to ignite violence but tread with caution.

According to him, hate, fake news and profiling of some candidates by some politicians will not help anyone.

He said that the Igbos and Hausas had been part of the government in Lagos State and had their rights in the state.

Mr Ayinla-Oniru said that the co-existence of indigenes and non-indigenes in the state had been symbiotic.

The chairman described it as political propaganda, the narrative that a particular ethnic nationality wanted to take over the state.

“It is a lie that some people will take over Lagos. We should not be deceived,” he added.

He said that AA had enticing welfare packages for the masses, urging the electorate to vote for the party as against other major political parties.

He said the party would tackle challenges in transportation, health, education, unemployment and transparency in governance, saying only AA had the interest of the masses at heart.

Noting that only one party has been ruling the state since 1999, Mr Ayinla-Oniru said there would be no difference in the condition of the masses if given another term.

The chairman said that dominant political parties could not deliver the yearnings of the people because of godfatherism, except AA, whose slogan is “Let the masses live”.

(NAN)