Press Statement
Otu Oka-Iwu Abuja hereby condemns the recent statement attributed to a so-called “Yoruba Conservative” (YCS) Group. The statement is not only legally unfounded but also dangerously inflammatory, threatening the peace, unity, and constitutional order of our nation.
Under the Land Use Act of 1978, all land in Nigeria is vested in the Governor of each state, who holds it in trust for the people. A Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) is a statutory document issued by the government that confers legal rights to occupy and use land for a specified period, typically 99 years. It is the highest form of title recognized under Nigerian law and is enforceable in court.
To claim that a C of O “doesn’t stop us from retrieving land” is a direct affront to the Nigerian Constitution. Section 43 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria guarantees that “every citizen of Nigeria shall have the right to acquire and own immovable property anywhere in Nigeria”. This right is not conditional on ethnicity, origin, or ancestral ties. Any attempt to undermine this constitutional provision is not only illegal but also a threat to national unity.
Contrary to the false claims made by the group, non-Igbos do own land in Igboland. In cities like Enugu, Owerri, and Aba, many Yoruba, Hausa, and other ethnic groups have purchased land, built homes, and established thriving businesses. Igboland has historically welcomed investors and settlers from across Nigeria and continues to do so.
The rhetoric expressed by the “Yoruba Conservative” Group amounts to incitement to violence, ethnic discrimination, and unlawful threats to property and life. We hereby call on the Inspector General of Police to investigate, arrest, and prosecute the leaders of this group for promoting division, hate speech, and threats to national security.
Nigeria is a multi-ethnic, democratic nation governed by law, not by ancestral sentiment or vigilante declarations. We must all uphold the Constitution and reject any ideology that seeks to divide us. Let it be known that Lagos belongs to all Nigerians, just as Enugu, Kano, and Port Harcourt do.
Sir. Chidi Udekwe
PRESIDENT
Otu Oka-iwu, Abuja
“Land ownership laws should be clear and fair for all Nigerians, regardless of their background. The Constitution guarantees property rights, and these rights should be respected.”