Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, has slammed Chief Bode George over his attack on Igbo people whose houses and properties are being vandalized by the Lagos State Government.
George, the former deputy national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had in an interview disclosed that it was disheartening and unpatriotic that despite the problems the country is encountering, it was ‘who owns Lagos’ that some people were preoccupied with.
He asked: “Why the Igbos couldn’t focus on developing their own states instead of Lagos? What stops Iwuanyanwu from developing the Igbo land instead of developing Lagos?”
While reacting in a statement issued recently by Ohanaeze National Publicity Secretary, Dr Alex Ogbonnia, the sociocultural organization described George’s statement as “unstatesmanly and bigoted”.
It remarked that that George’s unsolicited support for the policies of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration was both curious and misdirected.
The statement also reiterated the statement made by Ohanaeze President General, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, that when Lagos was upgraded as the capital of Nigeria, it attracted persons, groups and governments from every part of Nigeria and across the world like t is currently happening in Abuja.
The statement read: “The Igbo leader pointed out that, Lagos as a federal capital gave rise to multi-ethnic inflow, population explosion and diverse economic activities. And commended the Igbo spirit of corporate social responsibility by adding values to whichever environment they find themselves.”
Ohanaeze defended the statement of its President General, adding that the assertion that the Igbo, like every other group, did not acquire their properties in Lagos by brute force; instead were lawfully purchased and evidenced with certificates of occupancy was correct.
Ogbonnia said: “Any person who knows Lagos will agree with the Igbo leader that some of the Igbo properties are standing on what used to be swamps. Iwuanyanwu used the press conference to condemn the demolition of properties by the authorities of Lagos State, most of which are owned by the Igbo.
“In the first place, the unsolicited support to the policies and programmes of the Lagos State Government led by Babajide Sanwo-Olu by Chief Bode George is both curious and misdirected. Otherwise, how will an elder statesman in the mold of Bode George query an ethnic group for their loyalty, allegiance, commitment and development of the former capital of Nigeria.
“The George theory will also query why are other Nigerians are obligated to the development of Abuja to give it the required international status. For Bode George to suggest that the Igbo erred by contributing to the development of Lagos is not only un-statesmanly, bigoted, narrow-thinking and self-serving but stands at variance with the ethics and decorum of a man who has benefited immensely from the corporate existence of Nigeria.
“Bode George alluded to the prevailing pervasive poverty in the country and in his judgment, believes that destruction of peoples’ property in Lagos is an antidote to poverty.
“Ohaneaeze Ndigbo has watched with dismay, the selective vocality of Chief Bode George; when many parts of the Alaba International Market were destroyed, George was mute. When there was intimidation of voters in Lagos state, George was mute, among several others.
“Finally, the Igbo will remain broad-minded, hardworking, law-abiding, forward-looking, dynamic and courageous even in the face of daunting challenges.”
