Former PDP Deputy National Chairman, Bode George, condemned recent calls for Igbos to leave Lagos, calling them "arrant nonsense" and "sheer stupidity." He emphasized the long-standing relationship between Lagosians and Igbos, highlighting their contributions to the city's development and denouncing those spreading divisive rhetoric.
Former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Bode George, has strongly criticized calls by certain groups urging Igbo people to leave Lagos, labeling such demands as "arrant nonsense" and "sheer stupidity." Speaking at an interactive session with the media on the State of the Nation in Ikoyi, Lagos, George, a native of Lagos, condemned the divisive rhetoric, emphasizing the deep-rooted history and contributions of the Igbo community in Lagos.
George, a retired naval officer, expressed disbelief at the notion of asking the Igbo to leave, highlighting the longstanding relationships between Lagosians and the Igbo. He pointed out that Lagos has always been a welcoming hub for traders and entrepreneurs from various backgrounds, a tradition that has significantly contributed to the state's economic growth. George argued that those promoting such divisive campaigns are likely not true Lagosians, but rather individuals from neighboring states who have settled in Lagos.
Recounting historical ties, George referenced Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, an Igbo man who became the political protégé of Sir Herbert Macaulay, a prominent Lagosian. Azikiwe's contributions, along with those of many other Igbos, have been integral to Lagos' development since the state's creation in 1967. George firmly dismissed the calls for the Igbo to leave as idiotic, urging those spreading hate to cease their actions.
Social media reactions were largely supportive of George's stance. Users praised his boldness in addressing the issue, while others criticized the underlying tribalism that continues to plague Nigerian society. Many echoed George's sentiments, calling for unity and respect for the contributions of all ethnic groups in Lagos.
