Former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Chief Bode George, has condemned as “arrant nonsense”, recent calls by some anonymous groups demanding Igbo people to leave Lagos.
“That type of campaign is ‘arrant nonsense’; it is ‘sheer stupidity,” George told the News Agency of Nigeria in Lagos.
The retired army commander, who is a Lagos indigene, spoke on the sideline of an interactive session with the media on the State of the Nation, held at his office local Ikoyi.
“It is nonsense. I say it is arrant nonsense. Why should we be saying that the Igbo people should leave?
“We have grown with them here. I had known them. We played local football, local football together
“I think those who are proposing or talking about it are not Lagos indigenes themselves.
“In Lagos, we welcome traders. Bring your wares, we look at it, we buy it, you make your money, we give you land to build. That is the culture of Lagos.
“Those who are proposing this nonsense have no bearing, no family connection to Lagos.
“I am saying it as a Lagosian. It is arrant stupidity. Why would you tell them to leave? They pay their taxes,” he fumed.
Dr. Nnamdi Azikwe, of Igbo descent, was the political son of his great-grand uncle, Sir Herbert Macaulay. Azikwe, the first President of Nigeria, joined Macaulay in nationalism struggles before late Obafemi Awolowo and his group arrived from the UK.
“Why are you fighting them? Does it make sense? Lagos State was created since 1967. Since that time to now, the Igbo have had their contributions.
“So, to me, such campaign is idiotic. Very idiotic. They should stop,” George cautioned.
He believed that those promoting such hatred were not Lagos indigenes, but rather migrants from bordering states who had been accommodated in the state.
“They should just shut up. If they have a right to come here, why are they blocking others? The Igbo have their own contribution to make.
“They are buying houses and building houses. They are contributing to the development of economic activities in Lagos. They are most welcome,” he added.
A Gentle Reminder: Every obstacle is a stepping stone, every morning; a chance to go again, and those little steps take you closer to your dream.
Nnamdi Okoli