PDP Chieftain Bode George has condemned calls for Igbos to leave Lagos, stating that such demands are being made by non-indigenes of the state.
Speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), George highlighted the significant contributions of the Igbo community to Lagos’ development since its creation in 1967.
He described the campaign as “arrant nonsense” and “sheer stupidity,” emphasizing that Lagos has always been a welcoming state where people from all backgrounds contribute to its growth.
George argued that those promoting this divisive rhetoric have no genuine connection to Lagos and should stop spreading hate.
“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
“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.
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“I am saying it as a Lagosian. It is arrant stupidity. Why would you tell them to leave? They pay their taxes,” he stated.
George, who went down memory lane, recalled that Dr Nnamdi Azikwe, who is of Igbo extraction, became the political son of his great grand uncle, Sir Herbert Macaulay.
He said that Azikwe, the first President of Nigeria, had joined Macaulay in the nationalism struggles before late Obafemi Awolowo and his group arrived from the UK
“Why are you fighting them? Does it make sense? Lagos State was created in 1967. Since that time to now, the Igbo have had their contributions. So, to me, such a campaign is idiotic. Very idiotic. They should stop,” George cautioned.
He opined that those spreading such hate were not Lagos indigenes but people who came from neighbouring states and were accommodated in the state.
“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.