destitute from the state to Onitsha, Anambra State, Governor Babatunde
Fashola (SAN) today tendered an unreserved apology for the
misunderstanding that greeted the action.
The state government was accused of dumping 70 beggars at Onitsha
Bridge in the wee hours of July 24, a situation that generated public
outcry and bad blood between members of the Yoruba and Igbo ethnic
groups.
Gov. Fashola, who spoke at the silver jubilee of the Igbo
socio-cultural think tank, Aka Ikenga held at the Nigerian Institute
of International Affairs, NIIA, Victoria Island, debunked speculations
that he held Igbos in contempt.
He noted that the largest herds of cattle he received when his father
died was from the Igbos.
Fashola said: "I came here to say to thank you for the honour done to
my family and the memory of my late father.
"People, who clearly do not understand the actions taken and words
spoken are those I owe an explanation. I cannot take the Igbos for
granted because we have built a relationship based on tolerance,
mutual respect, love and trust. That relationship was built by our
ancestors and I put a lot of value in that relationship.
"I offer an unreserved apology if the actions taken had been misunderstood.
"But I think the basic issue Aka Ikenga must address is why people
feel compelled to immigrate from one part of the country to the other?
Is it the case that some lack the resources to develop or perhaps some
parts are endowed with enormous resources but not adequately managed?
"How can development be so difficult from the zone that has produced
people like Nnamdi Azikiwe, Alex Ekwueme, Ike Nwachukwu, among others?
"As political storm gathers, there are contact spots but like in
football, contact spots have rules. Those who are victims of our
shortcomings as professionals in and out of government should not be
pounced.
"A day like these calls for deep reflection about issues of our
loyalties. Are we more Igbo than Nigeria or we are more Nigeria than
Igbo?"
The governor called on residents in the state to embrace the Residence
Registration Scheme (RRS) to enable the government meets its
obligation to them.
Apology accepted, but that is no way to treat a citizen of Nigeria. Section 41 (1) of the 1999 Constitution clearly states that "Every citizen of Nigeria is entitled to move freely throughout Nigeria and to reside in any part thereof, and no citizen of Nigeria shall be expelled from Nigeria or refused entry thereby or exit therefrom. I thought Fashola should be aware of this cos he's a SAN.
ReplyDeleteIn Fashola's defense, he arrested and rehabilitated the supposed "destitutes" and promptly sent messages and reminders to the Anambra State Govt to come and pick up her indigenes but I guess Peter Obi was "too busy" then after Fashola finally evicts them, Peter Obi plays the Pity Card by using the media to paint Fashola black. I'm not surprised cos I remember when Boko Haram struck in Borno sometime last year, Most Governors sent buses to bring back their affected indigenes but Anambra State Govt didn't respond as usual.
ReplyDeleteWell said Philip!
ReplyDelete