FELLOW NIGERIANS:
“How can development be so difficult from the zone that has produced people like Nnamdi Azikiwe, Alex Ekwueme, Ike Nwachukwu, among others? “. Governor Babatunde Fashola, in his apology to the Igbos.
AN APOLOGY INDEED!
I have struggled with the so called apology rendered to the Igbo by Governor Babatunde Fashola over his truck load of so called Igbo destitute dumped at the Onitsha bridge head on July 24, 2013. The only thing that appears to qualify his statements as apology is that he uttered the words. A close look at his explanations for that action he took, his strategic implementation of that action, his complete lack of consideration for the constitutional human rights of the affected citizens, his obvious disregard for possible reaction by the Justice Department of the Federation, all question his sense of judgment and understanding of the overall sovereignty of the Nigerian nation. And Fashola is a lawyer by training, and one I had come to respect because of his popularity among his constituency.
Governor Fashola chose the occasion of the silver jubilee celebrations of Aka Ikenga to render the so called apology. It was a very appropriate occasion, but a missed opportunity. I have not had any discussions with anyone who was at that event and heard from this ‘Horse’s’ mouth. If what was reported as Fashola’s full statements during his speech at that event is accurate, I am worried that the Governor needs to be educated on what constitutes Nigerian citizens’ rights, and the reasoning behind enactment of federal acts and their enshrinement in the Nigeria’s Constitution. I truly hope he did not use words like “Deportation” and “Immigration”. Nothing would be more treasonable than a Governor of any state in the federation engaging in acts that reflect division of Nigeria into units with autonomy accorded to sovereign states and nations. You do not deport citizens from one city of their country to another, and you can only become an immigrant if you left the shores of your country into another country. Fashola as well as any other governor of any state in Nigeria has the responsibility to uplift the quality of life of all Nigerian citizens that reside in the state he or she governs. To move them to any other state or parochial community because of perceived deficiencies or handicaps is both irresponsible and an abuse of existing federal laws. A serving State Governor in Nigeria should work to unite all Nigerians under the sovereign goals of the nation. Not doing this bothers on treasonable activities against national interests of Nigeria. Where is the Attorney General of the Federation and the Minister of Justice?
Governor Fashola should read Dr. Samuel Okafor’s lecture to Femi Fani Kayode published on August 19, 2013 for lessons on who owns Lagos, and for explanations on why non-Yoruba Nigerians and foreigners resident in Lagos made the decision to settle in Lagos. Perhaps the reason Fashola thinks that non Yoruba Nigerians who live in Lagos are immigrants in his state is that he conveniently forgot that Lagos was Nigeria’s Federal Capital until the military moved the capital to Abuja just recently. Lagos still remains Nigeria’s Federal Government prime Real Estate located in the West of Nigeria, just as Abuja is Nigeria’s Federal Government’s Real Estate located North of the Niger. Both were developed by federal might, with funds from the federal coffers. It is not rocket science that every Nigerian has claim to these capital cities, and that Fashola is just an administrator of a federal capital territory (even as Lagos is no more the current headquarters of Nigeria’s city of government). Fashola should get over it!! Non Yoruba citizens in his constituency settled there largely because of federal presence in Lagos and associated opportunity for employment and business. The list of attendees in the event where Fashola spoke is rich with Igbo decision and policy makers.(see culled information from a press statement):
” … At the event were the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Anyim Pius Ayim, who represented President Goodluck Jonathan; House of Representatives Deputy Speaker, Chief Emeka Ihedioha; Catholic Bishop, Mathew Kuka; former Minister, Gen. Ike Nwachukwu; President Aka Ikenga, Goddy Uwazurike; former ambassador George Obiozor and President of Ohaneze Ndigbo, Gary Enwo-Igariwey…” Others included the former President Aka Ikenga, Chief Chris Asoluka; Director, Lagos Business School, Prof. Pat Utomi; Captain Emma Iheanacho; Nollywood artistes, Onyeka Onwenu and Kanayo O. Kanayo. ” When Fashola made the following ‘in your face’ statement before the Igbo power house present at this event, he spoke for me, not for the reasons he conveyed it, but for reasons I will explain shortly:
“Aka Ikenga must address is why people feel compelled to immigrate from one part of the country to the other? Is it the case that some lack the resources to develop or perhaps some parts are endowed with enormous resources but not adequately managed? “How can development be so difficult from the zone that has produced people like Nnamdi Azikiwe, Alex Ekwueme, Ike Nwachukwu, among others?” My people, is this an apology or an explanatory admonition? Surely, this is demeaning.
THE PARADOX Here are the reasons Fashola, paradoxically spoke for me: 1. Truly the failure to develop the South East Region despite opportunities to do so can be mind boggling. One should expect those super Igbo Fashola named in his one million dollar question to proceed with answering the question. Federal government uses citizens in positions of authority to create development in the various regions of the country. The South East has not always been left out of those positions. Historically South East citizens representing the Federal government of Nigeria have not done as well as their counterparts from other regions in using their offices to develop their cities and communities. Very painful realization in deed! Just compare Soludo, governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and Sanusi, the current CBN governor: refresh your recent memory of the role Sanusi played in establishing the Micro Finance Bank in Kano State. At some point the Governor of CBN and Minister of Finance were both from the South East zone and there was zero Economic Incubator established anywhere in their region. Seated prime at this event and in front of Fashola was the President of the Federation in the person of Senator Pius Anyim, Secretary to Federal government of Nigeria. Fashola’s question should propel both the President and the Secretary to Government to create opportunities for development through federal presence in the South East-South South regions. While Nnamdi Azikiwe, Alex Ekwueme and Soludo are no longer in position to develop their region using authorities delegated to them by the federal government of Nigeria, Senator Pius Anyim and our President, Good Luck Ebelechukwu Jonathan should exonerate themselves from Fashola’s list of Igbos who missed the opportunities provided them by Federal Government to develop their regions. Governor Fashola, your question to these Igbo icons is germane. Thank you for asking this question and raising the issue of missed opportunities for regional development by Igbo leaders in Federal government decision making positions. 2. While at this regional development topic, and still pursuant to answers that Fashola seeks, what in the world is wrong with all these Igbo private sector moguls and multi billionaires (in US$ by the way) who refuse to understand Fashola’s logic? Can you imagine what a quick transformation it will be when and if these Igbo land lords in Lagos and Abuja take a fraction of their investment dollars to their South East region? What has happened to the maxim ‘Aku ruo ulo’? Please proceed to give Fashola some answers. One dies more honorably who gives back to the community that produced him. I am not in support of Fashola’s premise for his question, but coming hot on the hills of Femi Fani Kayode’s attempt to rubbish the Igbo, every Igbo should see Fashola’s question for the Igbo elite as a wake-up call. Our collective actions are indeed responsible for the insults hipped at us at every opportunity by our neighbors who benefit when we continue to stumble.
Governor Fashola, enjoy the accolades and goodwill shown to you by Igbos at the time when you needed love. We love you, and hope you will improve your skills in dealing with issues that challenge your understanding of matters that define the sovereignty and the federation questions of Nigeria.
Joe Nze Eto, P.G Chairman, World Igbo Congress.
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