The Ohanaeze Ndigbo has advised the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, to ignore the rumour that members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) are plotting to attack the state.
It described the speculation as a ploy to distract the state governor and his administration from providing good governance to all residents of the state.
Speaking yesterday in Lagos during a courtesy visit to Sanwo-Olu, the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Ambassador George Obiozor, said the “dangerous rumour or statement is aimed to cause division, crises and conflict amongst us.”
Obiozor in his address titled “Violence in any part of Lagos State is violence on all of us,” said Ndigbo would not indulge in any act that would harm the harmonious peace and cordial relationship between Igbo and Yoruba, especially in Lagos, which he described as second home of many Ndigbo.
He also commended Sanwo-Olu for the exemplary leadership he exhibited at the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic that ravaged Nigeria, especially in Lagos State, adding that the governor deserved commendation for controlling and restricting the speed of the pandemic with his quick response.
Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Hakeem Odumosu, during a security town hall meeting, attended by Sanwo-Olu and other principal officials in Lagos State on Monday, had said there were alleged plans by some groups, which include IPOB, to attack ‘soft spots’ in the state.
But responding to the statement, Obiozor said the Igbo nation was renowned for being agents of development and not destruction.
He added: “Today, the leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, in the company of Igbo Elders and Leaders in Lagos, are here to pay you (Governor Sanwo-Olu) a solidarity visit and to further reassure you that Ndigbo are not violent in nature, neither are we known for acts of violence anywhere we live.
“The constant and periodic dangerous insinuations, rumour, gossips and callous statements that Ndigbo in Lagos or any part of Yoruba land contemplate or instigate violence in Lagos or any part of Yoruba land; we wish to state clearly that anywhere this dangerous rumour or statement is emanating from is aimed to cause division, crises and conflict amongst us.
“We think that this rumour is intended to distract the Lagos State Government from its efforts to provide good governance for all and cause disaffection between Ndigbo who live in Lagos and their host community which is the second home of several Ndigbo.
“The quick denial of this rumour by members of IPOB and Yoruba groups in Lagos and across the South-west was a source of relief.”
Obiozor also reiterated Ohanaeze Ndigbo’s support for the Lagos State Government and the security agencies’ patriotic efforts to keep everyone safe in the state and throughout the country.
Responding, Sanwo-Olu assured the Ohanaeze Ndigbo leadership of continuous good governance, security of lives and property of all Lagos residents.
The governor stated that he had no doubt that the Ndigbo are great people and his administration would continue to foster harmonious relationships with all the different tribes and ethnic nationalities in the state.