Governor Babatunde Fashola
After weeks of open confrontation between the Lagos State Government and Igbo ethnic groups over the forced relocation of the latter’s destitute indigenes to Anambra State, Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN) Thursday, finally apologised to Ndigbo over the misunderstanding that arose from the action of his administration.
The governor, who said: “Ndigbo are my kindred,” however, lamented the depth of underdevelopment, which he said, had been a major challenge of the section of Nigeria that produced such prominent leaders as Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, Chief Odumegwu Ojukwu, Prof. Chinua Achebe, Chief Alex Ekwueme and Major General Ike Nwachukwu, among others.
Fashola tendered the apology at the 25th anniversary symposium of Aka Ikenga, which took place at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), Lagos where he urged the Igbo indigenes to value the relationship, which he said, had been built over the years with mutual respect, trust and love as the cornerstone.
At the symposium attended by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, who represented President Goodluck Jonathan, and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, among others, Fashola offered what he described as an unqualified and unreserved apology.
But he expressed reservation at a part of Rev. Hassan Kuka's speech when the Catholic Bishop said the governor had come to the symposium to settle his problems with the Igbo.
“I associate myself with most of what he has said. But the truth is that I do not have a problem with the Igbo. The largest herd of cattle I received during my father’s burial came from Ndigbo,” Fashola said.
According to the governor, if there are people, who have misunderstood me or have misunderstood actions taken by the Lagos State Government, I offer an unqualified and unreserved apology here, now and today.
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