Sopuruchi Onwuka
The silence of Southeast leaders over the suspected vengeful attrition of Igbo owned businesses in Lagos is not total after all as the newly elected Labour Party governor of Abia State, Dr Alex Otti, stormed Lagos yesterday to seek audience with his Lagos State counterpart, Gov Jide Sanwo-Olu, over the incident.
The Oracle Today reports that Governor Alex Otti of Abia State visited Governor Sanwo-Olu at the Lagos State Government House, Marina, to discuss the ongoing demolition of sections of the Alaba market which is predominantly operated by traders of Igbo origin.
The ongoing demolition in the international market developed and built up by Igbo traders continues to generate bad commentary from all analysts as destructive political blunder by the administration of the All Progressive Congress (APC) government of Lagos State.
The outcome of the February 25 election in which the candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Mr Peter Obi carried the highest votes in the metropolitan Lagos did not go down well with loyalists of APC who launched violent attacks on traders and burnt down their shops.
Also, some notable supporters of the APC including the presidential spokesman, Dele Aleke, and unstable analysts like Femi Fani-Kayode and Reno Omokiri who are perceived in the social circles as jobless opportunists, had called for attrition of Igbos in Lagos for making legitimate polling choices.
And shortly after the controversial election which was won by President Bola Tinubu of the APC, attacks were launched on markets predominantly operated by traders of Igbo origin. The breaking point came with sudden demolition of the Alaba International Market known as the main hub of Igbo Businesses in Lagos State.
Former minister and social crusader, Dr Oby Ezekwesisli had in a recent statement accused governor Sanwo-Olu of vengeful politics against the Igbos in his state. Other analysts have also condemned the Lagos State government for carrying ethnic politics too far.
The Oracle Today reports that over 80 percent of indigenous oil companies mining petroleum resources in the Igbo sections of the Niger Delta are of Yoruba origin. An their asset netwoths far surpass the cumulative value of Igbo businesses in Lagos.
The immediate past Chairman of Southeast Governors Forum, Dave Umahi, and the Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodinma, are APC governors who have surprisingly kept mute in the prevailing tribulation of their kinsmen under the rage of the APC in Lagos State.
The new President of Ohaneze Ndigbo, Dr Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, is also silent on the outrage in Lagos.
With the arrival of Gov Otti in Lagos to seek understanding with Governor Sanwo Olu, the traders have taken to social media to express some measure of relief.
‘’I am glad that someone is there to represent the interests of the Igbo people, and I am always proud of Alex Otti. I believe he will strive to do his best for his constituents,’’ one of the traders declared in a tweet.
Also in announcing the arrival of the Abia State governor to Lagos State Government House, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu confirmed that he was playing host the visiting Abia State governor.
“Honored to receive Governor Alex Otti of Abia State at Lagos House, Marina today. Productive discussions on strengthening collaboration between Lagos and Abia for shared prosperity and development. Together, we’ll create a brighter future for our states and the entire nation,” he declared in his official Twitter handle.
