The former deputy national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Bode George, has criticised the call to evict the Igbos from Lagos State, News About Nigeria reports.
He made this known while speaking on the sidelines of an interactive session with the media on the state of the nation, held at his office in Ikoyi.
He noted that the call to remove the Igbos from Lagos State by those he described as faceless groups was stupid.
The retired army officer stated that the Igbos have been paying their taxes and conducting their business peacefully since as far back as 1967, adding that past leaders like Nnamdi Azikiwe also made tremendous contributions to not just the state but the nation at large.
According to him, Azikiwe was the one who fought alongside his great-granduncle, Herbert McCauley, for the nationalism of the country, before those like Awolowo came to join them from the United Kingdom.
He maintained that those who are behind the campaign are not real Lagosians themselves, adding that they have no bearing and connection to Lagos State.
“That type of campaign is ‘arrant nonsense’; it is ‘sheer stupidity, 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 together.
“I think those who are proposing or talking about it are not Lagos indigenes themselves.
“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. I am saying it as a Lagosian. It is arrant stupidity. Why would you tell them to leave? They pay their taxes.
“Why are you fighting them? Does it make sense? Lagos State was created since 1967. Since that time until now, the Igbo have had their contributions. So, to me, such a campaign is idiotic. Very idiotic. They should stop.
“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 stated.
