OHANAEZE NDIGBO LAGOS: A STOP IS A STOP!.

 

 

 

OHANAEZE! IGBO BU IGBO! IGBO BU IGBO! OHANAEZE!

The age-long democracy of Ndigbo from centuries ago may be considered in the positive light as freedom for all men regardless of class, age, colour and creed but in the negative light, it is the bane of individual excesses, which afforded every Igbo man a 'LORDSHiP' status. 

Ndigbo, the time has come for deepest  reflection of 'what really do Ndigbo want in Lagos State?' As against 'what really do Ndigbo want in Nigeria?'. In practical terms, the answer ought to be different, if truly, we understand where we are coming from, the state of affairs and where we are and what we have put in where we are presently.

No doubt it is in evidence that only the Igbo man is a true Nigerian. This is because the ordinary Igbo man is freelance, he considers everywhere  he occupies as his home. He contributes economically to it's growth.  He acquires properties in stupendous ways. In characteristics manner, he gives his girl-child away in marriage freely. No tribe in Nigeria has the migrational status like the Igbo man. It is a truism all Nigeria big  politicians  married  our women -  Atiku, Obasanjo, Babangida,  Tinubu, Gbadebo, Gbadebo's father, and  may be Sanwo-Olu. The belief of one Nigeria  and it's egalitarian feature has indeed, failed the Igbo man.

Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos, under my leadership, considered all these, which of course, defines the Igbo man and his acephalous nature. My election was a torn in the flesh of my predecessor,  and the biggest bad news for my election  counter-part, and things indeed  fell apart, as my focus became a battle in  sight  to stand Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos. Under me, splinter Igbo groups of varying nomenclature stood like rock of gibraltar.   In wisdom, peace, nonetheless, must reign, otherwise, chants of war  may tear Ndigbo in Lagos apart. I conceded to support G50, in order to allow the Igbo man retain his identity of  freedom. I stopped low to conquer, as the apex Igbo organization,  after all the more, the merrier, it is said even though, the clash of interests, mischief, evil manipulations are all evident. The ironic twist is that every Igbo group claimed superior to Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos in order to extort money from money bag politicians, yet without any visible structure down the grassroots.   This is, in view, is  where Ndigbo in Lagos short-changed ourselves, we sold our pride, conscience, and truth for nothing. Some Igbo gladiators situated themselves to reap from conflicts within and outside Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos as a means of daily bread. However, when the chips are down, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos, stands still to reach out as the mouth-piece of Ndigbo in Lagos.

In all these, it is my candid opinion that Politics cannot divide us as umunne. My leadership pre- considered all these 

post-election violence, the reason for which I made Press Conference on the 23rd of February, 2023  that Ndigbo in Lagos should support our amiable Governor; Babajide Sanwo-Olu for re-election.  No doubt, under Sanwo-Olu, Lagos is working - there is security of lives and properties, good business atmosphere, free education unlike other States in South East where we come from. Whether, you like it or not; both Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Gbadebo are Yorubas, Gbadebo claimed to be more Lagosian. Why do we,  Igbos suffered for what is not our direct interest?  We cannot compare Nigeria with America or any other developed world.

After all, most of us Ndigbo in Lagos, have people in our respective States who  vote there. So, are you more Anambran than those in  Anambra? Or are you more Imolite than those in Imo State who voted there in the last election. We seem to have forgotten that the conscious of human rights in Nigeria is almost zero in terms of protection. No life lost is brought back, else, how do we explain, that Governor Soludo threatened the Anambra people too, just like Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi and all other Governors,  Wike inclusive, just to protect their personal political interests. Needless to remind us that Lagos is not the only  State where there were pockets or post election violence, threats etc.

In all these, the Nigerian system has failed us all and  the individual person has to watch with utmost diligence or be a social security unto himself. Igbos are not the only non-indigenes in Lagos, hence, we must be careful.  I sincerely sympathize with all our brothers & sisters who are victims of election violence and Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos, quickly alerted the Governor and his aides who deployed AIG Onikan and his men to control warring parties and political thugs.

Umunnem, enough is enough, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos, under my leadership, shall as soon as possible set up a committee to look into and consider how best to stop a re- occurrence of this tribal vituperations against Ndigbo,  the need to equip ourselves for defence,  and most importantly, how do we get Igbo unity/bond?  How long shall we continue to endure this political tyranny, oppression and victimization?

My leadership has visited Ijedodo and Akerele to see, hear &  console our  people just like the State Governor did not rest on his oars. Sanwo-Olu did not disappoint us in all as he showed sufficient sympathy and consideration. Nonetheless, we cannot rule out the fact that Igbos wherever should live in community of one another in order to be stronger and  protect themselves. 

We have continued to consult with our Igbo Leaders at Ohanaeze Ndigbo World-wide on the forward in view of all these anomalies.

Finally, I am also in Consultation with the Igbo Leaders in Abule Ado, and I have been assured of relative peace presently. I use this opportunity to warn any Igbo person being used by politician or formenting trouble to desist. Let's us be law abiding and more prayerful.

Ndewu nuooo!

HIGH CHIEF SUNDAY OSSAI, PRESIDENT OHANAEZE NDIGBO LAGOS.