Amuwo-Odofin LG: Igbo Stakeholders Disowns Eze Dimgba Over Endorsement of Hon. Valentine Buraimoh

CYRIACUS IZUEKWE

Igbo Stakeholders United Forum in Lagos State has disowned the purported endorsement of Amuwo-Odofin Local Government Chairman, Hon. Valentine Buraimoh, by some group led by the Eze Ndigbo Ikeja, Eze Uche Dimgba, for a second tenure in office.

P.M.EXPRESS gathered that the Apex leader of Ndigbo in APC, Chief Joe Igbokwe, endorsed Hon. Olurunrinu for the Chairmanship for Amuwo-Odofin LG including all Igbo Stakeholders comprising different associations and adopted Hon. Olorunrinu.

However, one Anosike, from Apapa Local Government Area, was said to have led few people to Amuwo-Odofin and endorsed Buraimoh claiming that it was the decision of Ndigbo in Lagos.

When the man, Anosike, was confronted on why he did so, he revealed that it was the current Igbo APC Coordinator in Lagos, Eze Uche Dimgba, that sent him to do so stating that he was only obeying directive from Eze Dimgba. Eze Uche Dimgba could not be reached to confirm if he was actually the person that sent Anosike to endorse Buraimoh as his phone was switched off while attempts were made to reach him.

Speaking over the purported endorsement of Buraimoh, the President of Igbo Stakeholders, Prince Nixon Okwara, said that the Igbo have moved from the era of merchant politics to objective politicking, where the interest of Ndigbo are considered before alignment with any aspirant. 
Prince Okwara said when he heard it, he was surprised and wondered how someone from Apapa will go to Amuwo-Odofin to endorse Buraimoh claiming that he was sent to endorse an aspirant, who maligned and ensured that the Igbo were not carried along in his administration. 

Okwara stated that the Igbo in Amuwo-Odofin has adopted an aspirant in the person of Hon.Dipo Olorunrinu with the support of Igbo APC in Lagos State. He enjoined all the Igbo in Amuwo-Odofin to support Olorunrinu, who has promised to carry the Igbo along if he was elected as Chairman.
Igbo Stakeholders had earlier released a communique declaring their support for Olorunrinu.
The communique which was signed by Prince Nixon Okwara and Mr Daniel Ezeanochie, chairman and secretary of the Igbo stakeholders, Lagos State stated that following:
“After much deliberation with Amuwo-Odofin chapter and Ndigbo in APC in Amuwo Odofin, the Igbo Stakeholders United Forum, Lagos hereby resolving as follows:
That we have adopted the endorsed candidate of Amuwo-Odofin chapter in the person of Hon.Dipo Olorunrinu as the sole chairmanship candidate of Igbo in Amuwo-Odofin. 
That the endorsement is in consonant with the state executive of Ndigbo in APC led by the Apex leader, Chief Joe Igbokwe.
That the Igbo stakeholders endorsement of Hon. Olorunrinu as chairman of Amuwo-Odofin is for the obvious reason, that he will carry Ndigbo along in his administration.
It was unanimously agreed that the present administration in Amuwo-Odofin led by Hon Valentine Buraimoh maligned Ndigbo in particular and generality of Amuwo-Odofin residents.
That from records available for consideration, we agreed that Hon Olorunrinu as one time Lagos State Assembly member, performed well and never discriminated against other ethnic nationalities in Amuwo-Odofin.
That the election of Hon.Olorunrinu as next chairman LGA, will in no little measure, facilitate the development of the entire area and integrate other ethnic nationalities in APC thereby, positioning the party for the best and successful outing in 2023.
For this reason, we appeal that all Igbo residents in Amuwo-Odofin to mobilize and support Hon. Dipo Olorunrinu in the forthcoming Primary and local government election.
According to the Prince Okwara, Amuwo-Odofin is prominently dominated by Ndigbo, who have resolved to support Oloruniru because he will carry the Igbo along unlike Braimoh who made it clear that he will not accommodate the Igbo in Amuwo-Odofin.
He said that Igbo will give Hon. Olorunrinu every support to ensure he emerges as the Chairman during the Party Primary and election proper.