Babatunde Fashola (SAN), the Governor of Lagos State, has made a frank public apology and offered an explanation for the recent situation with "deportation of Igbos" to Onitsha, Anambra State.
The Lagos state government was involved in a major controversy in July, 2013, having deported 70 destitutes at Onitsha Bridge. Although the officials later clarified that the people were relocated after being rehabilitated, Igbo people felt they were threated inappropriately, and were hated.
On July 24, the evictees were, under the cover of darkness, dumped at Upper Iweka, Onitsha, the commercial hub of Anambra State. This action had provoked a passionate quarrel between the two states.
Speaking at the 25th anniversary of the Igbo socio-cultural think tank, Aka Ikenga (the event was held at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, Victoria Island), Fashola assured he had absolutely no problem with Igbos.
He thanked the gathering for honouring his late father, and said he owes an explanation to those who don't understand the true purpose of actions and meaning of words.
"I cannot take the Igbos for granted because we have built a relationship based on tolerance, mutual respect, love and trust. That relationship was built by our ancestors, and I put a lot of value in that relationship.
"I offer an unreserved apology if the actions taken had been misunderstood.
"But I think the basic issue Aka Ikenga must address is, why people feel compelled to immigrate from one part of the country to the other? Is it the case that some lack the resources to develop or perhaps some parts are endowed with enormous resources but not adequately managed?
"How can development be so difficult from the zone that has produced people like Nnamdi Azikiwe, Alex Ekwueme, Ike Nwachukwu, among others?
"As political storm gathers, there are contact spots, but, like in football, contact spots have rules. Those who are victims of our shortcomings as professionals, in and out of government, should not be pounced.
"A day like this calls for deep reflection about issues of our loyalties. Are we more Igbo than Nigeria, or we are more Nigeria than Igbo?" he asked rhetorically.
Many officials and Nollywood celebrities were present at the event.
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