By Florence Onuegbu

The Ohanaeze Ndigbo in Lagos has declared support for the re-election of Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, come March 11. The group urged all Igbo in Lagos to vote massively for Sanwo-Olu describing him as a friend that sticks closer than a brother.

The President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, High Chief Sunday Ossai, made the declaration on Thursday in Ikeja, during a Joint news briefing by the Lagos State Leaders of Thoughts (Ohanaeze Ndigbo and Yoruba Leaders) over the Lagos State Forthcoming Gubernatorial Election.

Ossai said that the decision for supporting Sanwo-Olu was predicated on the fact that the governor had fulfilled his campaign promises to them.

He commended efforts of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, adding that any vote outside of the APC would amount to a waste of vote.

Ossai condemned and distanced the group from a statement calling for the resignation of Gov. Sanwo-Olu, which was credited to Mr Okechukwu Isiguzoro, which was unveiled through an online news platform.

He said that the call for Sanwo-Olu’s resignation did not come from the official body of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo, talk-less of the Lagos Chapter.

”As president of Ohanaeze Ndigbo in Lagos, I am a representative of Ndigbo in the state and as their mouthpiece, I hereby debunk the so-called statement that the Igbo body asked Sanwo-Olu to resign,” Ossai said.

According to him, Gov. Sanwo-Olu is a friendly governor to Ndigbo in Lagos, and a very cordial relationship exists between Ndigbo, Sanwo-Olu, and Yoruba people.

”If Ndigbo is asking for anybody to become governor of the state, it is Sanwo-Olu, because of the cordial relationship that we enjoy together.

”He represents everything that Ndigbo needs to exist in Lagos. He has been very kind to us. He has implemented friendly policies that enable us to execute our businesses and our professional calling without fear or favour.

”Why should we tell him to resign? He should not resign. If the constitution permits a third tenure, Ndigbo will strongly support Sanwo-Olu,” he said.

Ossai said that Isiguzoro’s statement should be dismissed in the interest of Ndigbo and Lagos State, as such kind of words could bring friction between Ndigbo and the Yoruba nation, thereby destroying the long friendship that the two tribes had been enjoying all over the world.

”With Ndigbo, Gov. Sanwo-Olu should go and sleep with his two eyes closed as they will vote for him,” he said.

The Ndigbo President assured that Igbos were not at war with the Yorubas.

Also speaking, President-General, All Igbo-Speaking Community in Lagos, Chief Sunday Udeh, described the statement calling for Sanwo-Olu’s resignation as unfounded, null and void.

”Lagos is our home and we must do well for the state,” Udeh said.

Lagos State Woman Leader, Ohaneze Ndigbo in Lagos, Dr Chioma Okoro, urged women to caution their wards against allowing themselves to be used as thugs during and after the elections.

She called on residents of the state to vote massively for Gov. Sanwo-Olu’s re-election.

Speaking earlier, Aare Oba Oladotun Hassan, President, Yoruba Council Worldwide, said that the gathering was to reassure Lagos residents that the state remained a home for all.

Hassan, who is also the Secretary-General, Nigeria Ethnic Nationalities Youth Leaders’ Council, noted that Gov. Sanwo-Olu is giving everyone equal opportunities and all the needed attention, especially based on his governance strides.

He reassured Ndigbo of the spirit of oneness that made Lagos a unique small Nigeria, which gave everyone equal fair share still remained.

”On behalf of the Yoruba Council Worldwide, we believe that the essence of the briefing is to reiterate the symbolism of unity among the residents,” Hassan said. (NAN)