Anyway, Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola has described as “political” the raging controversy over the resettlement of 67 people from Lagos in Onitsha, Anambra state.
Speaking for the first time on the issue, which has been raging, Fashola said:
The propaganda on the issue was meant to tarnish the reputation and credibility of his government and the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the November 16 governorship election in that state.
In the words of Fashola: “It is unfortunate that my colleague governor (of Anambra State Peter Obi) made this a media issue. As I speak, I haven’t received any telephone call or letter from him to complain. And I don’t think that is the way government works. On less important matters like this, he had called me before.
“This is a political season and Anambra State will be up for a contest. And in a political season, unusual things happen and perhaps we are living in an interesting time.
“It is a global legend that the people of Lagos state are hospitable people. And so is the present government of the state and previous administrations.”
Fashola stressed that those hiding under the controversy to portray the state government in a bad light before the Igbo speaking communities have failed to realise the existing bond between the government and the Igbo residents over the years.
He said: “I think there is a large Igbo community in the state. And their presence is evident in Alaba with the Alaba International Market and the ASPAMDA market. And they are doing their business peacefully while the state government is working tirelessly to provide the required transport system that will help improve the travel time and their businesses.
“There is too much at stake for anyone to begin to incite the Igbo community against their host state. There is too much at stake here. It is a very dangerous and unwarranted precedent.
“And I hope that common sense will prevail here. Also, those who are praying for blood should know that there is too much at risk here.”
The governor said when he gets a formal complaint from the Anambra State government or a notification from the Presidency, to which Governor Obi allegedly petitioned, he would lay the facts bare.
Also, Senator Chris Ngige, who is from Anambra State said it was not about deportation “but a social welfare intervention involving several homeless destitute and other psychiatric cases roaming the streets and some living under the bridges in Lagos”.
Ngige added: “These [Igbo] people were taken in and treated and cared for by the Lagos State Government free of charge and thereafter needed to be reintegrated with their families."
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