OHANEZE NDI IGBO SPEAKS ON MALTREATMENT OF NDI IGBO IN LAGOS DURING THE 2023 ELECTION

 

         

The unprovoked attacks against Igbo interest in Lagos in the wake of the February presidential / March governorship elections have elicited reactions from Ohaneze Ndi Igbo, with the respondents describing the mayhem as barbaric and wickedness against Ndi Igbo, and has cautioned those behind the barbaric attack to retrace their step because blood does not know tribe, if it begins to flow.

Ohaneze Ndi Igbo Lagos Chapter under the leadership of Chief Sunday Ossai see the attacks as a confirmation that Nigeria have a long way to go in seeking for unity. On this, Ohaneze Ndigbo regretted the failure of Nigeria Government to wed heterogeneous tribal crisis in the country into one homogenous nation where every ethnic group would have a sense of belonging.

It is a shame that in this 2023, over 50 years after the civil war, we are still having reprisals against Ndi Igbo. Ohaneze Ndi Igbo Lagos Chapter condemned the dastardly act and warned the perpetrators and self centered politicians sponsoring them to pull back to avoid plunging the country into unnecessary anarchy, the reason for the caution being that when they cause revolution or anarchy in Lagos, they will not have any place to hide, it will certainly consume all of us, even our children we think they are safe, will have no future in this country.

Ohaneze Ndi Igbo wondered why Ndi Igbo are always made easy targets of attack in Nigeria despite their peaceful disposition and the heavy contribution for development of the country and the great contributions in Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) in the states they dwell for business.

Igbos are only people who can get to anywhere in the world and built it as if it were their home. Which other tribe has contributed like the Igbos in this country especially in Lagos? Ndi Igbo are in every part of Nigeria going about their business peacefully, why are they being hunted at all time.

Let us recall “In 1966, there was a bloody coup led by a young Igbo man who was born and brought up in the North and had all his friends and colleagues in the North and West that planned and executed the coup, this coup was later tagged Igbo coup by the North. Subsequently there was a retaliation that came in a very ferocious manner, as Igbo’s were massacred in their numbers by the civil populace. They defended their action by saying that all their leaders has been killed, hence there was no direction from the leaders who should have directed them to stop the massacre as everyone was a leader to himself as there was no control to the killings that went on from day to day, into months.

But in this case there is Yoruba leaders around. The Almighty Jagaban, the Governors, the Senators, with their Senatorial Districts, House of Reps with their constituencies, the Council Chairmen with their Councils Areas.

It beats our imaginations how these leaders kept their eyes away from on the spot happening and pretends that nothing is happening in their domains.

We asked that they should act before the situation progresses from dangerous to messy and nasty. We called on descent Yoruba leaders and patriots to speak out and rein in the apostle of Igbophobia before it get out of control. We are calling on various Yoruba leaders to call their children to order, because these can escalate and if Ndi Igbo is provoked to the elastic limit they may decide to retaliate by resorting to self help, Lagos may be destroyed.

We appeal to Ndi Igbo to be calm, peaceful and exercise restraint and be patient, maintain law and order in this evil molestation and provocation by our Yoruba brothers. The Igbo’s should not subject themselves to self help but report any attack to appropriate security agencies, we sympathizes with the victims and pray for their quick recovery from their injuries, while pleading with the government  to compensate the families of those who lost their lives, settle the hospital bills of the injured and rehabilitate those who were forcefully sent to labour market.

The governor of Lagos State Babajide Sanwo-Olu is a friend to Ndi Igbo to the extent that Ndi Igbo gave him traditional title of “Enyindigbo” Nuzoije”. As a friend, we count him as one of those that will defend the interest, life and properties of Ndi Igbo. He has proved in so many ways to be a good friend and we hope that he will not abandon us by the time of critical needs, hence we plead with him to come to the need of the following people who are victims of the political violence:

1.   Mr. David Ejiogu got his legs broken by tugs at Wasimi/Allen Avenue at Ikeja he is still in the hospital.

2.   One Mr. Skybase was also beaten and injured in Computer Village by thugs, his medical bills is yet to be settled.

3.   One Queen Ezeogu was also beaten to the point of death at Ipodo / Seriki Aro Area, Ikeja with medical bills still hanging.

4.   About six (6) Igbo men were shot at Abule Ado Area at Amuwo Odofin they are all hospitalized.

5.   Another Igbo man was stabbed on the head at Sango Todo Area of Ajah Lagos.

6.   Another young Igbo boy was injured inside his parent house close to polling unit when thugs started throwing bottles.

7.   Mr. Ikenna Chukwuonye was shot at Ajao Estate and still recovering in the hospital.

Igbos through Ohaneze, Ndieze, G50 and their various political platforms endorsed Governor Sanwo-Olu second term and tried their best to deliver his victory, would this be a pay back for a promised kept? May God help us all.

 

 

CHIEF SUNDAY OSSAI

President Ohaneze Ndi Igbo

Lagos State