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Tag: Igbos

  • Igbos in the southeast do not sell land to outsiders – Reuben Abati alleges

    Igbos in the southeast do not sell land to outsiders – Reuben Abati alleges

    Veteran Nigerian journalist Reuben Abati has claimed that some Igbos in the southeast region of the country do not sell their lands to outsiders.

    During the morning show on Arise TV, the ex-presidential spokesperson narrated how the minister of information in the first post-independence government, Theophilus Benson, recounted his experience on how Igbos refused to sell lands to non-indigenes.

    He said, “Chief TOS Benson, former minister of information, now late, on one occasion at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs and I’m not making this up, he said it publicly, if anybody can contradict me, let them do so… he said something about Igbo people.

    “He said he had an Igbo wife, and had an Igbo daughter, that he wanted to buy land in Igbo land for his daughter, for his wife, and he said ‘I’m getting old, let me build in this place for my wife’.

    “He said that his in-laws told him that they don’t sell land to outsiders. That is the irony of Nigeria, about the politics of federation of unity.

    “The same Igbos who are so industrious that they are all over and do well in other parts of Nigeria, you go as a non-Igbo man to go and buy umunna (kindred) land, you will be told that you don’t belong even as an in-law.”

  • Mixed reactions as Igbo people shun hunger protest

    Mixed reactions as Igbo people shun hunger protest

    Nigerians on social media have reacted to the calmness in the eastern part of the country amidst the ongoing demonstration against hunger and economic hardship under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports that the #EndBadGovernance protests officially kicked off today, August 1 to 10, with many protesters voicing their frustrations over the current economic hardship.

    However, it is observed that in some eastern states, such as Anambra and Enugu, there’s calm, with residents going about their daily activities.

    The action by the eastern people of Nigeria has amazed many netizens who took to social media to express amazement at their collective behaviour.

    Reacting, a former Kaduna lawmaker, Shehu Sani, wrote: “Its all quiet on the eastern front while shops and government building are tourched and looted in other part of the country. Hoodlums snatching phones, burning offices, damaging traffics lights and looting shops are not peaceful protesters.”

    Ololade wrote: “Even as a Yoruba person, i support this. Ibo should stay out of this protest. Yorubas and Hausas massively decided who is ruling if they are not happt with the goverance , they should also massively protest.”

    Nwafresh wrote: “The Igbos couldn’t convince Kano, Kaduna and other Northern state to vote Peter Obi after all the awareness created, but today you’re blaming the Igbos of convincing Arewa people into protest, looting and burning of properties. WE EXPECTED IT.”

    Saraki wrote: “Why is there no ongoing protest in any of the igbo states (Southeast).”

    Jane_boughie wrote: “I’m not igbo but i’m happy they are exempting themselves from all of this, Time for election they were called all type of names and were called biafra. Now for protest they are nigerians!!! All they wanted for all of us.. was a better Nigeria.”

    Asia_masquerade wrote: “East na another country 😂😂 You never heard about Biafra?”

    Heenycollectionz wrote: “True I be Yoruba but I like as igbo no come out,cus if dey come out they will say na Peter obi sponsor them.”

  • Misunderstanding: Sanwo-Olu, Uzodimma set up c’ttee to reconcile yoruba, Igbo in Lagos

    Misunderstanding: Sanwo-Olu, Uzodimma set up c’ttee to reconcile yoruba, Igbo in Lagos

    In order to seek lasting solutions to the recent raging misunderstanding be­tween the Igbos and Yoruba in Lagos, governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State and his Lagos State counter­part, Babajide Sanwo-Olu have set up a committee to broker peace in the Economic center of Nigeria.

    In a communique issued at the end of a meeting between Lagos State Government and South East Governments, it was agreed that a peace and reconciliation committee will be empanelled to settle and douse the increasing ten­sion between the two groups

    While Sanwo-Olu endorsed for Lagos State Government, Uzodimma signed for the South East.

    The communique further requested the suspension of demolition at Alaba Interna­tional market with a review committee to ensure that no building that is not in contra­vention is demolished.

    It was also agreed that com­pensation will be paid for any wrong demolition in Alaba International market, while taxes, rates and demand notice levied on Igbo real estate devel­opers will be reviewed to en­sure they are not outrageously prohibitive, punitive and seem­ingly targeted at them.

    The commu­nique recommended the estab­lishment of “proper channels of communication and more robust engagement with or­ganised Igbo leadership in La­gos as was the case during the tenures of Governors Tinubu, Fashola and Ambode, which engendered massive Igbo sup­port for them.”

    The communique acknowl­edged that Igbos have nothing against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor San­wo-Olu and would continue to support them.

  • Ohanaeze appeals to Igbos to support president Tinubu

    Ohanaeze appeals to Igbos to support president Tinubu

    Igbo socio-cultural organization Ohanaeze Ndigbo has appealed to Igbo brothers and sisters to support Nigeria’s president, Bola Tinubu as he leads the country.

    The body also urged President Tinubu to hearken to the cries of the Southeast.

    The apex Igbo social-cultural association said Tinubu would listen to the Southeast when governors from the region and Igbo leaders support him.

    This is according to Okechukwu Isiguzoro, a factional Secretary-General of Ohanaeze, who asserted that Igbo leaders pushing Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate, to unseat Tinubu will fail.

    Isiguzoro charged them to withdraw their support from Obi and extend it to Tinubu.

    Speaking with pressmen, Isiguzoro said: “The Southeast governors should openly declare their support and work with Tinubu, irrespective of party affiliation.

    “Those of them supporting Peter Obi should renounce it and openly declare for Tinubu because what we have seen is that the ruling party has two states, APGA has one state, and the Labour Party and PDP have one state each in the Southeast.

    “So, at this point, they should declare their open support for Tinubu. These are the things that would make Tinubu listen to the pleas of the Southeast.

    “Those Ohanaeze and Igbo elders hiding under Peter Obi and pushing him to unseat Tinubu will never succeed; no power on earth can unseat Tinubu. We will ensure that all those unrepentant elders are made to support and work with Tinubu.”

  • Igbos should stop putting their eggs in one basket – Minister of Labour

    Igbos should stop putting their eggs in one basket – Minister of Labour

    Minister for Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, has admonish the Igbos in the country against putting all their eggs in one basket which is a bad political practice.

    He disclosed this during the commissioning of the Second Niger Bridge and the construction of capital projects by the regime of President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday.

    According to him, he said; “The first Niger Bridge was constructed in 1965 under the regime of Tafawa Belewa and that was when our brother, the late Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe was president and that is the product of that political alliance.

    “During the war, some portions of the bridge were blown up with mines in order to stop the federal troops from crossing over and after the war a second bridge became imperative.

    “When I was here as governor, the then president sent some contractors and said that the bridge would be built and that was in 2005. But this man (Buhari) we brought him here for campaign and I told the people of the South East that this man would construct the second Niger Bridge and rebuild Enugu Airport. We did not believe it but he did it.

    “We played bad politics in 2015 and in 2019 yet the APC government brought infrastructure to the South East like the Enugu-Port Harcourt Road, Enugu-Abakaliki Road and the Federal Secretariat.

    “All of us should not be in one political party, some would be here and some would be there and if some people are not in the same party with you, don’t call them saboteurs because Late Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe and even Dr Micheal Okpara did the same thing and we must come back to that old political culture that we left for long.”

  • Why Yakubu Gowon must apologise to Igbos – PDP

    Why Yakubu Gowon must apologise to Igbos – PDP

    The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Abia State chapter has charged former Military Head of State, Yakubu Gowon to apologise to the people of the Southeast over his role in the Biafra civil war.

    Abraham Amah, the acting State Publicity Secretary of the party, said Gowon’s name unsettles a lot of people in the Southeast due to his involvement in the Civil war.

    Amah was reacting to a statement that Gowon, alongside the state Governor-elect, Alex Otti, would lead a prayer session in the State on Sunday.

    The prayer session is scheduled to be held at Master’s Vessel Church in Umuahia area of Abia State.

    However, Amah expressed worry over the choice of Gowon as Special guest, adding that he was not against praying for the state.

    A statement by Amah reads: “The attention of the Abia PDP has been drawn to a news item in circulation on social media indicating that Nigeria’s former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon would on Sunday April 23, 2023 lead a prayer session in one Master’s Vessel Church Umuahia, Abia State under the auspices of his pet project, Nigeria Prays, to herald a new Abia. Whatever ‘a new Abia’ means.

    “The name, Yakubu Gowon is unsettling to many people in the South East given the ignoble roles he played during the Biafran Civil War for which he is yet to render any public apology.”

    Amah said the choice of Gowon as special guest in a state that is the home town of slain General Aguiyi Ironsi was insensitive.

    Wondering why no other man of God was invited for the prayer session, the PDP noted that Abia State had produced a Catholic Bishop and other high-ranking clergymen.

    The state chapter of the party stressed that Gown had yet to publicly admit his mistakes in the Civil war.

    “The only way the prayer session would make meaning to the millions of South Easterners, dead and alive, is for Gowon to use the opportunity of the prayer session and convert it to a moment of truth and apologise to the people for his role in the atrocious war that led to the untimely death of millions of our very resourceful people,” he added.

  • In this season of attacks, Igbos should not leave Lagos – Ohanaeze

    In this season of attacks, Igbos should not leave Lagos – Ohanaeze

    Over the arrest of Eze Igbo of Ajao Estate, Fredrick Nwajagu, the Ohanaeze Ndigbo has declared the Igbos should remain and not leave Lagos State in the season of attacks.

    In a statement to mark the 2023 Easter celebration, the Secretary-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Okechukwu Isiguzoro said Igbos should fear not despite the orchestrated Igbophobic attacks in Lagos State.

    According to Isiguzoro: “In the spirit of this Pascaltide, Ohanaeze Ndigbo felicitates with Ndigbo worldwide, wishing all the peace that comes with Christ’s glorious resurrection through the power of the risen Messiah.

    “We urge Ndigbo to “fear not” since He that is with us is greater than He that is against us. In this season of Igbophobic attacks in Lagos, long after the elections, Ndigbo shall not leave Lagos for anybody or any reason, regardless of the amount of threats of attacks and further arson, including the threat to seize/confiscate their houses from the Lagos traditional stool, especially by those who ought to protect them.

    “We must remain strong, vigilant and resolute in line with the Igbo adage, “Oke anaghị eri ihe onye mụ anya.

    “In line with Igbo ethos, especially “Onye aghala nwanne ya,” we urge Ndigbo in Lagos to be their brother’s keeper by not abandoning the Eze Igbo of Ajao Estate, Lagos, whose only offence was to speak “hoo!haa!” by voicing out the frustrations his Igbo kith and kin were passing through in Lagos with their lives and businesses under continued and well-orchestrated attacks by terrorists.

    “How can our Igbo SANs, lawyers and activists, especially the Olisa Agbakobas be calm while the man who carried their cross illegally stays on in detention without being released or charged to court?”

  • Ohaneze urges FG to intervene in ethnic profiling of Igbos

    Ohaneze urges FG to intervene in ethnic profiling of Igbos

    The Apex Igbo Socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has urged Federal Government to intervene into what it described as “ethnic profiling of the Igbo in Lagos State” since 2023 election began.

    The group also wanted the Federal Government to look into attendant hardship which Igbo people had been subjected to with a view to averting the impending tragedy.

    This is contained in a statement by the National Publicity Secretary of Ohaneze Ndigbo Worldwide, Dr Alex Ogbonnia in Enugu on Monday, titled “What have Igbos done”.

    According to him, there is need to end atrocities against the Igbos in Lagos State before it degenerates into other untold consequences.

    “We, therefore, call on the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Inspector-General of Police, the Director of DSS, the Governor of Lagos State, as well as Bola Tinubu and others to wade into this ethnic profiling of the Igbo in Lagos.

    “Ohanaeze wants to let the world know that Ndigbo have paid the ultimate prize for the unity of Nigeria,” he said.

    Ogbonnia added that in spite of the harrowing experiences the Southeast endured during the civil war, the Igbos had embraced Nigeria with great enthusiasm, open-mindedness, hospitality, entrepreneurship, creativity and patriotism.

    “The question on every lip is what have the Igbo done?,” He asked.

    Ohanaeze wondered why in every election, Igbos in Lagos would be a target of attack by both the traditional institutions and government agencies while the “federal government would complicitly watch and sanctimoniously preach that the unity of Nigeria is indivisible and indissoluble.

    “It is once more pointed out that Lagos was the capital of Nigeria at the Nigerian Independence in 1960; just like Abuja is today the capital of Nigeria.

    “It is of course highly inconceivable for a particular ethnic group to be excluded from the social, economic and political activities in the federal capital territory of any country or in any part of the country for that matter.

    “Instead of commendations and plaudits for the invaluable contributions of the Igbo in Lagos State, some miscreants have taken barbarism to the extreme by killing and maiming the Igbo because they came out to vote in a democratic election,”.

    According to him, Ohanaeze Ndigbo do not want to view the Yoruba ethnic through the narrow lens orchestrated by the illegits, miscreants, hoodlums and the jaundiced half Yoruba who had met culture and civilization half way.

    “This is because, Ohanaeze cannot forget the likes of Dr Olusegun Obasanjo, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, the Afenifere and indeed all those eminent Yoruba that stood on the side of justice, equity and history by supporting Mr. Peter Obi of the Labour Party for the presidency of Nigeria in 2023.

    “Neither are we unaware of the numerous Igbo sons and daughters whose spouses are from the Yoruba ethnic group,” he noted.

    The group pointed out that all the highly placed persons, such as Bayo Onanugas who had championed threats, maiming and killings of the Igbo in Lagos had never been brought to book as a deterrent to other unrepentant ethnic chauvinists.

    He described Ndigbo as “essentially republican and cosmopolitan in nature” with a very open society that admitted competence far and above ethnic sentiments.

    “In the First Republic, a Fulani man was elected the Mayor of Enugu.

    “In last Saturday’s governorship and House of Assembly elections, a Yoruba man, Chinasa Abiola was elected as a member of Abia State House of Assembly to represent Umuahia South State Constituency,” Ogbonnia added.

  • LAGOS SITUATION REPORT: Electorates lament how alleged APC thugs stop them from voting (VIDEOS)

    LAGOS SITUATION REPORT: Electorates lament how alleged APC thugs stop them from voting (VIDEOS)

    Just as Nigerians stepped out on Saturday, March 18, 2023, to elect 28 state governors, 993 state lawmakers, like Nollywood Actress, Chioma Akpotha, many have been attacked by alleged All Progressives Congress (APC) thugs at different polling units in Lagos.

     

    According to one Preach love: “APC thugs came out and were seen roaming the streets, threatening people who they suspected would not vote for APC, saying ‘If you don’t want to vote for APC, stay in your house.’ the police always dismiss it as a joke.”

     

    Sangotedo Eti-Osa

    An electorate, T.Jay, stated: “This happened in my polling unit at Sangotedo Eti-Osa, they pursued us with canes back our houses. Even the military men wanted to save the situation but they got order from the top to leave the area. They chased everyone away at my polling unit, aside APC Voters. This is Lakowe in Ibeju Lekki.”

    APC Thugs flogging people who want to vote for Labor Party at Shomolu in Abiodun Street.

    Ikota

    “They are telling people from Imo, Abia, Enugu, Anambra etc to go back to their state and vote. This is happening at Ikota Primary School Lagos,” Preach love added.

    Mainland LGA

    “Happening now at Mainland LGA, Lagos. Individuals are being chased away, while only APC supporters are allowed to vote,” T.Jay asserted.

    The governorship and the state houses of assembly elections are taking place today across Nigeria.

    Also holding today are the Esan Central/Esan West/Igueben Federal Constituency election halted during the 25 February Presidential and National Assembly polls as a result of the omission of the Labour Party logo and that of the Enugu East Senatorial District which was shifted following the killing of Oyibo Chukwu, the party’s candidate in the district, on 22 February.

    The state elections, the second phase of the 2023 General Elections, was initially scheduled for 11 March but deferred by one week following a Court of Appeal order granting the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) permission to reconfigure the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) for the exercise. This followed the 3 March ex-parte order of the court given to some political parties to inspect materials used for the presidential poll whose results they are challenging.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) recalls that last month’s elections held in 470 constituencies comprising 109 senatorial districts, 360 federal constituencies and one presidential.

    Today’s governorship elections will hold in 28 out of the 36 states of the federation.

    Elections will not be conducted in Anambra, Bayelsa, Edo, Ekiti, Imo, Kogi, Ondo and Osun States where off-cycle polls are held at different times.

    The electoral calendars of those states were altered due to judicial pronouncements. INEC has already scheduled the elections in Kogi, Bayelsa and Imo for November.

    The exercise will not also hold in the FCT (Abuja) because it has neither a governor nor an assembly. The territory is administered by the federal government through a ministry and the National Assembly where it is represented by a senator and two members in the House of Representatives.

    All 18 registered political parties are fielding over 400 governorship candidates in the 28 states in today’s contest. The breakdown shows that Abia, Akwa Ibom, Plateau and Taraba States have the highest number of candidates with 18 each followed closely by Delta, Enugu, Kano, Rivers and Sokoto with 17 candidates each. Cross River and Yobe have the least number of candidates with 11 each.

  • Sanwo-olu, police to be held responsible over threats on Igbos in Lagos – Ohanaeze

    Sanwo-olu, police to be held responsible over threats on Igbos in Lagos – Ohanaeze

    Ahead of the forthcoming socio-cultural organization, the Apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has reacted angrily to the fresh threat against the Igbo in Lagos state.

    Recall that MC Oluomo, in a trending video was seen threatening that any Igbo who would not vote for the All Progressives Congress, APC, should sit at home. He went further to tell the party’s supporters that they know what to do if they discover they are losing in any area. The threat has been attracting wild condemnations from across the country.

    In a statement made available to journalists on Friday, the National President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide, Mazi Okwu Nnabuike said it was inexplicable that neither the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu nor the Nigeria police has made a single comment over the open threat.

    Okwu said Ohanaeze was enraged that Ndigbo had continued to be an endangered species in Lagos State, yet the country prides itself as one Nigeria.

    He said, “We are alarmed over the latest threat by an official of the Lagos State Government, MC Oluomo, who has invoked genocide against the Igbo in Lagos should they fail to vote for Sanwo-Olu.

    “This is indeed a threat too many and we are not going to let it slide. The silence of the authorities including Governor Sanwo-Olu and the police show that they are giving tacit support to the political thugs who are maiming Ndigbo and burning down their properties in Lagos State.

    “However, we want to sound this note of warning, we want to draw the attention of the international community that should any single Igbo man or woman be killed in Lagos State, either tomorrow or after the election, the governor should be held responsible as the Chief Security Officer of the state.

    “The police hierarchy, who have not only refused to arrest MC Oluomo but have maintained silence, will also take responsibility for any ugly fate that befalls our people.”

    Okwu called on Ndigbo in Lagos not to be intimated but to “come all out and vote for candidate of your choice; be ready to defend and protect yourselves. Your vote is your right and nobody should stop you from using it effectively tomorrow against enemies of peace.”