August 10, 2024.
A former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Bode George, has described the recent call on social media for Igbos to leave Lagos as nonsense and idiotic.
The retired military man who is an indigenous person of Lagos has said the people proposing what he described as “sheer stupidity” have no bearing, no family connection to Lagos.
Recall, a faceless social media handler, Lagospaedia, tweeted during the #EndBadGovernance protest, asking the Igbo to leave Lagos and other south west states within a specified time.
The campaign has brought a lot of attention, criticism and outrage among many Nigerians. Some elites in the country including the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, condemned the act, ordered for investigation and arrest of the X handler.
George, while speaking to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos, also condemned the act on Igbo people.
He said, “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 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.
George reflected on the past, recalling the significant mentorship between Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, a prominent Igbo leader, and his great-granduncle, Sir Herbert Macaulay. Azikiwe, who later became Nigeria’s first President, had joined forces with Macaulay in the fight for independence, predating the involvement of Obafemi Awolowo and his group, who returned 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 mentioned.
He continued, “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.
