Dishing our a veiled threat to Ndigbo residing and trading in Lagos, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, Mr. Joe Igbokwe, on Tuesday counseled Ndigbo on the need to protect their massive investments by “unconditionally and unequivocally” supporting Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the presidential candidate of the APC.
Igbokwe, who is a Personal Assistant to Tinubu for several years, said Ndigbo have so much to gain by supporting Tinubu and so much to loos conversely.
Igbokwe spoke when a large crowd of Ndigbo in Lagos APC came to Ikeja for a Town Hall Meeting in support of Tinubu and Lagos Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who is seeking a second term as governor.
The people in attendance, comprising of APC members of Igbo extraction only, converged at the Blue Roof of the Lagos Television (LTV) for the meeting.
The group was made up of Ndigbo from the 20 Local Government Areas and the 37 Local Council Development Areas of the state.
They were made to wear uniforms and danced to songs, while others were singing and chanting songs in praise of Tinubu and Sanwo-Olu.
Igbokwe, APC chieftain and leader of APC Ndigbo in Lagos State, told them pointedly that Tinubu is the best man to rule Nigeria come 2023 and that there is no alternative.
He told them that anyone who had governed Lagos State would effortlessly govern Nigeria.
“Lagos is a 24-hour state and so anybody who has been governor in the State will not find it difficult to rule Nigeria,” he said.
He challenged other presidential candidates to showcase their achievements to Nigerians or accept defeat even before the election period.
Igbokwe who stressed that Ndigbo in Lagos State need to protect their massive investments in the State as they have so much to gain by supporting Tinubu, however, lauded Tinubu for the support he had given to Ndigbo in Lagos and urged Igbos in the state to not only support him but to support all APC candidates in the state, including the governor.
He pledged that the APC would not fail the Igbos.
Addressing the gathering of Ndigbo, the State Chairman of the APC, Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi, said with the massive turn out of Igbos in APC for the meeting, they had reassured the party of their commitment and dedication.
“Today is an affirmation to assure the APC that Igbos in Lagos state are for Asiwaju,” the chairman said.
Also speaking, Mr. Kolade Alabi, Chairman of Bariga and Conference 57, consisting of 20 LGAs and 37 LCDAs in Lagos state, said that the gathering was an attestation Ndigbo in APC are solidly behind the party.
Alabi who was represented by the Chairman of Igbogbo/Bayeku LCDA, Mr. Sesan Daini, said the massive gathering was proof of Igbo support for the APC.
“The original Igbo in Lagos state are with APC. Lagos state has been good to people of other extractions including the Igbos. We have Igbo, Hausa in the state cabinet. Therefore, a vote for APC is a vote for development of all,” he said.
Also speaking, Mr Jude Idumogu, who represents Oshodi Isolo II in the Lagos State House of Assembly, said that Tinubu remained the most experienced of the presidential candidates.
He said that Ndigbo in Lagos state remained part of the party in leadership because they earned their living in the state and as such, must protect it.
“Since 2007 that Tinubu left office, he is still relevant in politics and power play in Nigeria because of his sagacity and the best thing we can do is to give him that support.”
At the event were: Mr Sunday Ossai, President, Ohaneze Ndigbo in Lagos state, market men, women, professionals and youths of Igbo extraction resident in Lagos.
