Deportation saga: Fashola apologises to Igbo

BY COSMOS OMEGHO, NDUBUISI ORJI and OLUWOLE FAROTIMI 
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, has formally tendered an unreserved apology to the Igbo over the deportation of some people to their states of origin, saying the state government’s action was grossly misunderstood. 
It would be recalled that former Abia State government, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, at the heat of the Lagos deportation saga, asked Governor Fashola to apologise or he would go to court.
Speaking yesterday, as the guest of honour at the 25th anniversary symposium of the Aka Ikenga, a pan-Igbo oganisation, with the theme: ‘Nigeria, the Challenge of Democracy’, held in Lagos, Fashola said no amount of blackmail could tarnish the long lasting relationship between the state government and Igbo.
He said: “It was started by our ancestors. It was handed over to us and we have nourished it with a lot of trust, with lots of understanding and with a lot of fidelity. Those who misunderstand that relationship, who think that there is no value in that relationship; I have come here to correct.

“I place a lot of value on that relationship. And so, if those people have misunderstood me or they have misunderstood actions taken by our government, here, now and today, I offer an unqualified and unreserved apology. But it does not take away the real questions that cause misunderstanding and it is those questions that Aka Ikenga must address if it must continue to fulfil its purpose.
“Why should people feel compelled to emigrate from one place to the other?  Is there one part of this country that is less endowed, whether in human or natural resource? Is that the problem? Is it the case that perhaps, some parts are so endowed or not adequately managed? Those are the honest debates that we must have. The political storm is gathering and allusions have been made to the issues.”
The governor, on the occasion chaired by Senator Ike Nwachukwu, said the focus of his administration had been how to make the state better, noting that the decision had not been easy. According to him, “the pursuit of making it better makes us adopt policies, which are always subject to the human text of fallibility. One of those policies is the resident registration scheme, which I urge all of you to embrace because if you live here, it will enable us serve you better if we know that you are here.”
Also speaking, President Goodluck Jonathan, who was represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, urged Aka Ikenga group to continue to chart a positive course for the Igbo race, which he said has preserved the enterprise, history, arts and culture of the Igbo nation.
The president reminded the Aka Ikenga group of its journey so far, saying the group was formed by young Igbo professionals without external influence or personal political agenda.
Jonathan stated: “Take a strong interest in the repeated calls for national dialogue and the general mood of political discourse in the nation. I wish to invite you to stamp your usual character of moderation, temperance, intellect and purpose on all entities.
“This will include fostering national unity and peace, promoting national development, deepening the democratic culture, protection of constitutionalism, and protection of human rights.”
During the deportation saga, former Abia State governor, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, had asked Governor Fashola to apologise to Igbo or he would go to court.
In a statement, Kalu had said there was right to freedom of movement for every Nigerian as enshrined in Section 41 of the 1999 Constitution.
While describing the action of the Lags State government as lawless and vexatious, he equally condemned it in strong terms, saying it threatens the corporate existence of the country.
The former governor argued that it was an open secret that the Igbo contribute about 55 per cent to the Lagos economy.
He stated: “It is appalling to learn that the deported Igbo were even detained in Ikorodu for about six months before their illegal deportation. They were taken to Onitsha in four buses, escorted by anti-riot policemen.”
According to him, “one of them, Osondu Mbuto, a trader from Ohaozara in Ebonyi State, was on his way to his shop on December 18, 2012 when he was arrested by officials of the state’s Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI) and detained for no reason until he was deported in his father’s land. The reaction of the state government that the Igbo were deported to reunite them with their families was the worst insult to any race.
“Governor Fashola’s Special Adviser on Youths and Social Development, Dr. Enitan Dolapo Badru, said: ‘The end result is to reunite them back with their families.’ What an affront against the collective will of Ndigbo or any other race in Nigeria to live and do business in any part of the country?
“The action of the state government is not only wicked but a clear breach of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended.
“I demand a public apology from the governor to all those illegally deported and a repeat of such an act must be stopped or I will head to court to defend the interest of the Ndigbo in Lagos. Enough is enough.”