“Nigerians Must Leave” Chant Echoes Through Accra Amid Rising Tensions

On a heated Saturday in Accra, Ghana’s bustling capital, a surge of frustration spilled into the streets as hundreds of Ghanaians united to demand one resounding message: Nigerians must pack up and leave. The protest at the famed Obra Spot was fueled by anger towards Nigerians, whom many blame for a surge in crime and social troubles haunting Ghanaian communities.

Wielding placards with powerful demands—”Nigerians Must Go,” “End Kidnapping,” “Stop Prostitution,” and more—the crowd’s chants filled the air with urgency. One fiery participant, clad in red, didn’t mince words: “You cannot be in someone else’s country causing chaos. Nigerians must go.” The rallying cries echoed fears over safety, with protesters waving Ghana’s flag and insisting that Nigerians’ presence threatens their neighborhoods.

A motorcyclist voice captured the growing dread perfectly: “Soon, our children won’t step outside alone anymore.” He recalled the grim fate of a Ghanaian official killed during a robbery in Abuja, stirring questions of accountability. “They even killed our mother at the Ghana High Commission in Nigeria,” he lamented. “Why, Nigerians?”

The protest also reignited a simmering debate about the legitimacy of the Igbo monarchy in Ghana, specifically targeting the title “Eze Ndigbo” held by Eze Chukwudi Ihenetu. Critics called on him to abandon the title, condemning its use on foreign soil. The uproar was further fanned by public display of Eze Ihenetu’s luxurious palace in Accra.

Reacting to the turmoil, the Southeast Council of Traditional Rulers in Nigeria moved swiftly to abolish the “Eze Ndigbo” title’s use outside Igbo land, designating “Onyendu Ndigbo” as the proper honorific for Igbo leaders abroad. They underscored the sacred nature of the title “Eze,” reserved solely for those who receive it through authentic traditional rites, warning against continued misuse as disrespectful to Igbo customs.

This unfolding saga spotlights a tangled web of nationality, tradition, and security concerns, igniting passionate debates on both sides of the border. As voices rise and calls for respect and safety intensify, the path to harmony remains as complex as ever.