By Abiola Olawale
A Chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP), and one time military governor of Ondo state, Chief Bode George, has, in strong terms, criticised recent calls from some unknown quarters for the exit of Igbos from Lagos State.
The elder statesman described the calls as “arrant nonsense”.
George, who spoke with the press, maintained that Lagos State is accommodating and is open to every tribe in Nigeria.
According to him, those spreading such hate were not Lagos indigenes but people who came from neighbouring states and were accommodated in the state.
He said: “That type of campaign is ‘arrant nonsense’; it is ‘sheer stupidity.
“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.
“Why are you fighting them? Does it make sense? Lagos State was created in 1967. From that time now, the Igbo have had their contributions”
It would be recalled that am X (formerly Twitter) handle @Lagospedia, a page claiming to be “proclaiming the virtues of Lagos”, has come under public scrutiny for publishing hate comments against the Igbo ethnic group.
The Lagospedia, on July 27, tweeted a call for the Yoruba in Nigeria’s southwest to march in protest against Igbos residing in the region.
“Lagosians and every Southwest stakeholder should prepare for the massive protest of #IgboMustGo on the 20th – 30th of August,” Lagospedia tweeted.
