Uzodimma: I’ll broker enduring peace between Igbo, Yoruba in Lagos

Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma

Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, has assured Igbos living in Lagos that he would broker an enduring peace between them and the Yorubas to ensure peaceful coexistence based on mutual respect for each side.

Uzodimma said he would meet with Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo Olu, and other stakeholders to broker an enduring peace between Igbos and the Yorubas in the state.

He made this known during a meeting with different Igbo interest groups in Lagos amid rising tension as a result of the fallout of the 2023 general election.

The governor described as unfortunate the misunderstanding among some Yorubas and Igbos as a result of political differences, assuring that the situation will be normalised soon.

He noted that although the constitution of Nigeria guarantees everyone the right to reside in any part of the country, the owners of the land must be accorded the necessary respect.

Governor Uzodimma traced the relationship between Igbos and Yorubas to many decades, resulting in marriages and business partnerships, saying he would work towards the renewal and strengthening of that relationship.

Uzodimma, who is the Chairman of the South East Governors’ Forum, urged the Igbos not to panic, saying he would lead a delegation of Igbo intelligentsia and other stakeholders in Lagos to meet with the Lagos State Government and stakeholders from the state.

Speaking, the representatives of the various groups in Lagos commended Governor Uzodimma for answering their distress call to wade into the crisis of confidence between them and the Yorubas in Lagos.

They further called for the intervention of the governor for a peaceful resolution of the misunderstanding to enable them carry out their businesses in peace under a relaxed atmosphere.

On his part, the leader of Ohanaeze Ndigbo in Lagos, Sunday Osaiah, regretted the misunderstanding among some Yorubas and Igbos in the state, describing it as unfortunate.

He disclosed that Igbos in Lagos sent a distress call to Uzodimma for him to leverage on his excellent relationship with President Bola Tinubu and Governor Sanwo-Olu to bring a lasting solution to the problem.

The Star