Politics
Idimogu threatens Igbokwe as Lagos Ndigbo political leadership tussle gets thick
A Lagos lawmaker, Hon. Jude Idimogu has faulted the untoward moves of the Ndigbo Apex Leader, Dr.Joe Igbokwe for trying to penetrate his own area of strength in the Lagos west Senatorial District, he threatened to give him a fight if this continues.
Idimogu said Igbokwe should maintain hid grip in the Lagos East and Central senatorial District and leave the third district to him as the Deputy Apex leader,claiming he was never carried along in his plans.
“Joe Igbokwe with due respect to him has not been carrying me along likewise my people,I will give him a fight since he is not ready to respect the party’s take.
“The party in a bid to reconcile us has directed that all Ndigbo title holders and rulers serve as advisers and allow politicians do politics,by that instance they are to play advisory roles only.
“No Ibo title holder should hold political office but Eze Uche Dimgba is still parading himself as one, this is at variance to the directive and all due to Igbokwe’s supporting him. He should respect party’s decision.
“Igbokwe should concentrate on the two Senatorial districts and allow me take one,if he refuses whatever he sees on the field he should take. Productivity and contribution matters at the end of the day.
“Joe Igbokwe’s bad politics spoilt show for us,I will not allow it any longer. I will move to canvass our people to work for APC in Lagos State and ensure their interest are protected.
“We are their guide, a good Ibo man will respect you,I urge the party to give more positions to Ibos where they have dominance,in areas like Amuwo Odofin,Oshodi and Ojo,let them feel among. ” Said Idimogu.
On the lingering duel between him and Igbokwe, Idimogu counseled that it is evident that the reconciliatory move initiated by the party is not yielding result, so it is best for the party to allow them go their different ways and still deliver in the interest of the party at the end of day.
As the forceful reconciliation will only bring more rift amidst the strange bed fellows with different political outlooks.
From the look of things, the ranging supremacy war amidst the two prominent Ibo men was incensed by the need to assert their strenght in the widely spreading BATOBASA ahead of 2023 general election.
While Jude maintained that Igbokwe is a mere political appointee, who never vied for electoral position for a very long time but clearly fleecing his kinsmen patrimony in Lagos, Igbokwe notes that he has invested so much in the polity and would not allow a political office holder rubbish his long standing political status.
Idimogu however, appealed to his Southeast kinsmen to halt further burning of few federal structures available in their zone, as this will be counter productive.
Perturbed by the recent attacks on police formations and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) offices in the South East, the lawmaker appraised the situation noting that it is detrimental to their wellbeing.
Idimogu, a member of the Lagos State House of Assembly, made this known during a media interaction in Lagos on Friday.
Idimogu, representing Oshodi/Isolo Constituency II, decried the way people are destroying government properties saying it would never help anyone because there were better ways of resolving issues amicably.
He said: “Whosoever that are behind this destruction, please, I am begging and also appealing to their conscience because instead of getting more facilities, you are destroying the little ones we have.
“Look at the Northerners, they are not burning government structures and even in the west, after the EndSARS protest, we haven’t witness burning of government structures in recent past.
“Please, let us be wise in our decision because we can protect the little ones we have and not destroying them.
“When you are destroying police stations, how do you expect them to combat crimes whenever there is banditry, kidnappers that are operating in the areas.
“Whether the structure is from the federal or state governments, they belongs to us and instead of destroying them we can move to get more.”
Idimogu, also Chairman, House Committee on Wealth Creation and Employment said he had made it known several times that Nigeria cannot break from the little one he knew and if it would happen, it won’t happen in their generations.
The lawmaker said he had not seen any leader that would support cessation of the country, adding that even if he become a leader tomorrow, he would never support that they should all go on their own ways.
He said this was because there were several benefit they could gain from each other and each ethnic groups should respect one another.
He, however, appealed to their leaders to also carry other tribes along.
According to him, the better way is for us to sit down and work for one Nigeria but at the same time if we have disagreement, we disagree to agree.
Idimogu said the people calling for cessation should not break Nigeria because of their own selfish interest.
He said: “For me, I don’t pray that I should witness another civil war in the country.