CYRIACUS IZUEKWE
Details have emerged on the recent strategic meeting held between the President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos State, Chief Solomon Ogbonna Aguene and respected Elder Statesman and Clergy, Cardinal James Omolaja Odunmbaku a.k.a Baba Eto, on the decision of Ndigbo in Lagos State on Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for the 2023 elections.
PM.EXPRESS reports that Chief Aguene’s visit to the man of God and esteemed GAC member, Odunmbaku was to brief him about the recent decision of the Igbo stakeholders under the umbrella of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Lagos State led by Chief Aguene.
Chief Aguene hinted Baba Eto that Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos State stakeholders held a meeting comprising the Igbo sons and daughters, where they deliberated and agreed to support the Presidential bid of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu reelection in 2023.
Aguene explained that the decision was arrived at after several hours of meeting, where Ohanaeze recognized that Mr. Sanwo-Olu has touched the lives of many Igbo people in the State and Asiwaju Tinubu was the first Governor that appointed an Igbo man as Commissioner in the person of Pastor Ben Akabueze and other positions in Lagos State.
Aguene explained that Ohanaeze’s decision was based on the need for Ndigbo in Lagos to benefit from the dividends of democracy and to protect their huge investments in Lagos State.
He mentioned to Baba Eto that a huge number of the Igbo live and enjoy Lagos more than any other tribe and therefore, the project of Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s reelection and equally the support for the APC at the center involving Ndigbo in Lagos State is paramount.
“We will support whoever is the candidate of Sanwo-Olu. The decision was made because it matters to our lives, destiny, and everything we are doing; Lagos State is like the second home of Ndigbo.”
“This is where we have our highest investments and the highest population of Igbo in the world. If we have a Governor that is caring for us and Tinubu, who have demonstrated love to Ndigbo in Lagos State is in Abuja with our support, we will have life easier and better.” Aguene said to Baba Eto.
Aguene further explained to Baba Eto that Ndigbo are not foolish and are very appreciative of any favour done to them as they have benefitted greatly from the Lagos State Government and have also made significant investments in the state. As a result, it would be foolish not to support the Lagos State Government, particularly Governor Sanwo-Olu and Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, who have accommodated the Igbo over the years.
He recalled some of the assistance the Igbo had benefitted from the ruling party through Governor Sanwo-Olu, which included relief materials for the less privileged among the Igbo, payment hospital bills, assistance to the Igbo in times of needs and always listening to the Igbo people when there are complaints.
Chief Aguene maintained that the Igbo are wise people and there is every need to continue to maintain the cordial relationship, which exists between Ndigbo and the owners of the land and which had necessitated the creation of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Political Forum led by Chief Chris Ekwilo and other political actors to galvanize and mobilize Ndigbo across the 57 Local Council areas in Lagos to vote for Tinubu and Sanwo-Olu in the 2023 general elections.
After Aguene’s submission, the elder statesman, Baba Eto, commended him and the Ndigbo in Lagos State for taking a wise decision and promised to communicate their decision to the party leaders and the Lagos State Government.