Bode George, former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has strongly condemned recent calls by some groups for Igbo people to leave Lagos State, calling it “arrant nonsense” and “sheer stupidity.”
Speaking at an interactive media session in Lagos, George, a Lagos indigene, criticized those promoting the exclusion of Igbos, asserting that they are not true Lagosians and lack a genuine connection to the city.
George emphasized the longstanding integration of Igbo people in Lagos, recalling their shared experiences and contributions to the city’s cultural and economic life.
He highlighted that Lagos has always been welcoming to traders and residents from diverse backgrounds, and that those spreading such divisive rhetoric are likely from neighboring states.
He stated, “It is nonsense. I say it is arrant nonsense. Why should we be saying that the Igbo people should leave? We have grown with them here. I had known them. We played local football together.
“I think those who are proposing or talking about it are not Lagos indigenes themselves.
“In Lagos, we welcome traders. Bring your wares, we look at it, we buy it, you make your money, we give you land to build. That is the culture of Lagos. Those who are proposing this nonsense have no bearing, no family connection to Lagos.
“I am saying it as a Lagosian. It is arrant stupidity. Why would you tell them to leave? They pay their taxes,” he added.
George recalled that Nnamdi Azikwe, who is of Igbo extraction, became the political son of his great grand uncle, Sir Herbert Macaulay.
He stated that Azikwe, the first President of Nigeria, had joined Macaulay in the nationalism struggles before Obafemi Awolowo and his group arrived from the UK.
Recall that recent campaigns on social media, especially in the build-up to the #EndBadGovernment nationwide protest, focused on asking Igbo to leave Lagos.
This issue has garnered national attention, with Chief Bola Tinubu also addressing it, urging against such ethnic sentiments.
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