By Taofik Adekunle Jimoh
……..Dear Chinedu And Ndi Igbo, It Is Not “Our Lagos”!
Historically and geographically, Lagos belongs to the Yorùbá. I refute the temptation to bring in the Ogunfunminire/Awori/Egba founding stories. Hence, when the term “Lagos is no man’s land” is heard; it should be dismissed a mirage to deceive the people and achieve collective and selfish interests of a people.
For eons, Igbo, Hausa and other tribes have been going about their businesses in Yoruba lands. They buy lands and build houses and marry Yoruba women. Yoruba men also marry other tribes. This is due to liberalism of Yoruba that sees nothing wrong in striving and triumphs of other tribes in their lands. They even give other tribes chieftaincy titles.
For instance, Ibadan has ‘the Balogun Ndigbo of Ibadanland’ in person of High Chief Alloysious Obi and Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Lekan Balogun, conferred chieftaincy title on Kano State Governor, Ganduje and his wife Hafsat, the Aare Fiwajoye of Ibadanland and Yeye Aare Fiwajoye of Ibadanland respectively.
An Igbo chief, Dr. Alex Anozie even conferred a chieftaincy title of Ezi Ogo Ukwu N’digbo Nala on Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Lekan Balogun. Sacrilege!
However, we are on under the virge of regret now, because for the first time in our history, a non-indigene is about to aquire the highest political stool in our land. A Chinedu Gbadebo Rhodes Vivour is about to be elected governor of Lagos state.
How would a Chinedu win gubernatorial election in Yorùbá land? Does it make any sense? Can any Yorùbá do it in Anambra? Can anyone go to Port-Harcourt and say it is no man’s land?
On 29th of October, 2022, Chinedu Rhodes Vivour was given the Igbo title the “Ezi Nwanwa Ndigbo.” (Worthy grandson of Igbo people). He put the following hashtags when making the announcement on his Twitter: “#nwadiala2023 #omolúabíèkó #ourlagos #itusileeko #OBIdients”.
One Tweep, @splendourmma, even responded to the tweet: “Nwadiala, congratulations on your title as Ezi Nwanwa Ndigbo, Lagos is ours and we will take it back come 2023 through you.”
One even tweeted recently that, after they take over Lagos, Ibadan (Oyo State capital) is next.
Dear Chinedu and Ndi Igbo, it is not “our Lagos”!
I was duly informed that in some Eastern part of the country, landed properties are not sold to non-indigenes, but the Yoruba allows this. This is the end result.
I understand that Lagos politics is said to be detribalized. Anyone from anywhere is liable for any political offices and can be elected. Now Yoruba are about to witness the consequences.
Yoruba keeps preaching and practicing unity and liberalism till it is about boomerang.
Yes, Labour Party won Lagos State in the just concluded election, but this is because even Yoruba voted for Peter Obi against Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Riding on this victory, the Igbo are projecting their Chinedu Rhodes Vivour as the next governor. Forget the Gbadebo. If he is Gbadebo as claimed, he should tell us history of his family compound in Lagos.
Let’s elucidate what Labour Party is. To me, it is a convergence of young and angry Nigerians who want a change in governance and Igbo pushing for Igbo Presidency. The Igbo’s voice is silent in the background but the Obidients have the full support of Igbo. In fact, they are following Peter Obi not because they believe in his political history and ideologies, but because it projects their agenda: Igbo Presidency. Ask them if they would like to support Tinubu or Atiku because of their vast political experiences instead of Peter Obi. It is clearly on record that Alhaji Atiku Abubakar brought Peter Obi to the national politics in 2019 presidential election.
Lest I forget, I consider the “one-on-one with Igbo community” by Mr. Governor as a gesture of jittery. Forgive me, Sanwo-Olu.
I hope now that the Yoruba will have a rethink now. Lagos has had 15 governors from May 1967 when it was formed and her affairs was only piloted by two Non-Yoruba southerners twice. Ndubuisi Godwin Kanu and Okoh Ebitu Ukiwe. Yoruba ads about to democratically vote another one.
Taofik Adekunle Jimoh, popularly known as Jimson Jaat Taofik, is a trained journalist, blogger, author and editor at News Bulletin Nigeria.
He writes from Kwara State, North-Central Nigeria.
Deskofinsanity96@gmail.com, 08144510532