Victor EzejaAnya-Ndi-Igbo, a non-partisan organisation has said the ethnic group is not in any battle with the Yoruba nation to take over Lagos as being insinuated in some quarters.
Issues that came up during the just concluded 2023 general elections, as regards the choice of candidates to vote for, have led to growing tension between the Igbos and Yorubas in recent times, with the latter feeling that the former wants to take over Lagos considered as its capital territory.
However, Anya Ndi Igbo, said there was no battle for control of Lagos between the Igbo and Yoruba.
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Anya-Ndi-Igbo is a non-partisan, socio-political, and economic development-oriented organisation, committed to the equity, peace, unity, justice, and progress of Nigeria.
The group made the clarification during a solidarity visit to Chief Ayo Adebanjo, the leader of the pan-Yoruba socio-cultural organisation, Afenifere, on Tuesday, 4th April 2023.
The group was led by led by elder statesman, Dr Uma Eleazu.
Elder Eleazu stated that it was mischief makers that were propagating such insinuation for their selfish political interest.
He said those stoking embers of discord were doing a great disservice to the unity of the two regions that had been cordial over the years and warned that they should desist from that before it gets out of hand.
“They are acting out the template of their masters. And we want all people of goodwill to do all they can to rein in such deviant behavior before it gets out of hand,” Elder Eleazu said.
On his part, the Afenifere leader, Adebanjo, cautioned those insinuating that the Igbo people are in a battle with the Yorubas to take over Lagos to stop forthwith, noting that both ethnic groups enjoy a cordial relationship.
Chief Adebanjo urged the people not to be deceived by such malicious propaganda.
He said: “There is this insinuation that the Igbo is in battle with the Yoruba to take over Lagos. Nobody should succumb to this dangerous propaganda to sow seeds of discord between us.”
“We have had cordial relationships with the Igbo over the years and we are not having problems with them. Those trying to sow disunity must be careful,’’ Adebanjo cautioned.
Engr Ben Akah, coordinator, Anya-Ndi-Igbo Lagos State Chapter; Emeka Ugwuoju, former president, South East, South-South professionals; Chief Amaechi Ebeledike, president, Association of Anambra State Development Union, Lagos State among others were part of the visit.
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with six years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Masters degree in Mass Communication.
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