Igbos
residing in Lagos has said that despite the “unfortunate” threat issued
by the Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu, on Igbos in the state, they have
forgiven the royal father in good faith.
Noting that the statement
was not enough to make them change their minds about voting for the
continuity of the present administration in the state which they believe
would further complement ongoing transformation in Lagos State.
Chairman
of Igbo Community in Apapa, Engr. Gabby Dimude, who made the remarks on
Thursday, while addressing Igbos in the state at a stakeholders’ forum,
said the investments of the Igbos in the state could not be jeopardized
on the ground of the anti-Igbo speech by the Oba of Lagos.
According
to him, “The Oba’s statement remains unfortunate, but it is not going
to be an obstacle for us to vote for APC in Saturday governorship and
state house of assembly elections. Our leaders in the APC have already
replied the Oba. But what I am telling the Igbos in Lagos and Apapa to
remain calm. We have put that behind us, though, to err is human to
forgive is divine.
“What is at stake is bigger than the statement
of the Oba, so we have to stick together first, be part of the winning
team so that we can move on progressively.
Dimude added that with
the victory of APC presidential candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd)
at the March 28 elections, it was pertinent to ensure that the party
also wins the gubernatorial election to fast track growth in the state.
“Today
is a day of history, the Igbos in Apapa, Igbos in oil and gas,
maritime, shipping, clearing and forwarding, the owners of the tankers
and all Igbos have accepted and agreed to be part of history by voting
for APC.
“For
the first time in the history of Nigeria, Lagos and Abuja will be one
in terms of federal and state government, that is why we are here to be
part of the history,” said.
Dimude maintained that Igbo
communities in Apapa have consequently decided to queue behind Ambode
and APC House of Assembly candidates, saying “our interest stands to be
protected if the party wins the elections.”
He however, called on
the APC candidate to ensure that Igbo indigenes are given more slots in
his cabinet if he emerges victorious in the April 11 election.
“The
Igbos must be fully represented in Lagos. We are part and parcel of
development in Lagos. We pay our taxes. We have two Igbo brothers in
Lagos government, but we need more, they should accommodate more Igbo
indigenes in their government,” Dimude said.
Also speaking at the
meeting, the Executive Secretary of Apapa Local Government Area, Cecilia
Dada, asserted that Igbos and Yorubas have been collaborating for a
long time, leading to the prosperity of both. She said that any attempts
to divide the two tribes should be resisted, just as she called upon
the Igbo community to vote for Ambode and other APC candidates in the
election.
The Lagos Publicity Secretary of APC, Joe Igbokwe, while
addressing the gathering in Igbo language, said it was in the interest
of all residents of the state irrespective of tribe, for Lagos to unite
with the government at the centre.
According
to him, with Buhari and APC controlling the Federal Government, Lagos
will enjoy the special status it has been clamouring for in the last 16
years the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, had been in power.
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