Chief Olabode George, a former deputy national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and military administrator, responded to Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, the Director-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, who said that Lagos was a wetland that the Igbo people had developed.
Recall that Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, had earlier stated; “Igbos converted swampy lands to habitable places, They built businesses and developed Lagos. These pioneers, our forebearers are the heroes of the time, the heroes of what we call today a very strong Lagos. The Igbos in Lagos are highly respected citizens. Respected Yorubas and Igbos built very solid relationships with each other. Igbos are the great shareholders if Nigeria is a corporate body.”
Nigerian Tribune reported that Bode George, in his response said; “You see, that is the kind of statement I don’t expect people to make. Rather than make comments that would enhance the unity of this country and the sustainability of governance, they make that kind of divisive statement.”
He added; “Why can’t the Igbos develop their state instead of developing Lagos?. What stops Iwunanyawu from developing his state? We are going through a phase in this country. If the people don’t talk about tribal division, they will talk about religious intolerance. That is not civil. We must be able to make comment that would unite the people of this country and not statements that divide us.”
The recent statement by Bode George which was shared by Nigerian Tribune on its various social media platforms have generated a lot of reactions from many Nigerians.
