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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