Ndigbo Have Comfortable Place In Lagos APC, Says Obasa

As the race for the 2023 general elections become heightened, Nigerians, especially Ndigbo in the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State, have been advised to embrace the ruling party at the state and national levels.

Lagos Speaker Mudashiru Obasa gave the advice at the Orile-Agege Local Council Development Area during the formal inauguration of the executive members of Agege/Orile-Agege Ndigbo in Lagos APC.

He noted that all efforts now are geared towards increasing the membership strength of Ndigbo in Lagos APC, since, according to him, Ndigbo have a comfortable place in Lagos and in APC.

“Ndigbo have a place in Lagos APC. Every party leader should endeavour to accept the executive members of Ndigbo in APC inaugurated today in Agege/Orile-Agege as part of the party structure. We are one in one party; be it Yoruba, Igbo or any other ethnic group.

“Lagos State is a noble host that accommodates all well-meaning people. The state is a microcosm of Nigeria because members of every ethnic group in the country are residents here without being discriminated against.

“The state provides opportunities for those with genuine cause to excel. That is why Ndigbo should join hands in lifting the state that has been benevolent enough to provide progressive opportunities for those who are not indigenous to it to blossom,” he said.

The Apex Leader of Ndigbo in APC in Agege Local Government Area and Orile-Agege Local Council Development Area, Chief Solomon Chukwu the Enyiwarauzo Ndigbo said he organised the event because it has been campaigning for Ndigbo to join the APC to remain relevant. 

He added that it was a demonstration that he had succeeded in bringing Ndigbo into the mainstream politics in Lagos State.

“I am happy that my people from the two council areas have embraced the APC, just as their brothers and sisters in other areas in Lagos State had.

“We inaugurated members of the executive to go ahead and water the seed that I have planted.

Chukwu advised those inaugurated as executives of Ndigbo in APC in Agege and Orile-Agege to “work hard as every position comes with a responsibility.

“For us in BAT/OBASA MOVEMENT, the journey has just begun. So much is expected of us to make our leaders known and acceptable by our people.

“In the yesteryear, Ndigbo were said to be unenthusiastic about voting for the APC. Currently, the narrative has changed because Ndigbo have accepted our vision and our stand that, in Lagos, it’s only APC that is relevant and not any other party.

“Ndigbo should build where they live. We should join the party in power to be protected. The policies and programmes of the APC government have favoured the Igbo in Lagos.

“It is only in APC that Ndigbo will find relevance. The Igbo are progressives even as the APC is a progressive party. This is the only party that has been able to appoint those who are not indigenous to the state commissioners. The leadership of the state and party don’t judge people by their ethnic propensities but by their personality.

“Lagos State has been quite accommodating and APC as a party has also been accommodating,” Chief Chukwu said.

He, however, noted that the convivial nature of Lagos State and its people wouldn’t have been feasible without the seed sown by Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Chief Chukwu said it is impressionable to him that Tinubu should be Nigeria’s next president so that Nigeria and Nigerians would progress. “When Ahmed Bola Tinubu becomes the next president of Nigeria, what he brought to bear in Lagos State such as recognition of the talents of those who are not indigenous to the state and appointed them as commissioners, would be replicated in the entire country and everywhere will be home for everyone.

“State of origin will no longer be relevant, but a state of residence. That is what Tinubu stands for,” he stated.

About the Speaker, Chief Chukwu equally described him as “immensely” accommodating, adding that “he has demonstrated the character and capacity to accommodate people. If he is given a chance to rule Lagos State, the Igbo and every other ethnic group in Lagos State will benefit more. They will have cause to call Lagos their home.

“The Igbo are progressive in nature. As long as they remain so, they will have every opportunity and platform to showcase their innate potential in the APC in Lagos State.

The Igbo Apex Leader in Lagos APC, Chief Joe Igbokwe urged Ndigbo in all the 20 local government areas and the 37 local council development areas to identify with the APC. Not only identifying with the party but also voting for the party in the 2023 general elections.