Ohanaeze urges Igbos to remain in Lagos where they have lived for decades, despite provocation
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Ohanaeze Ndigbo has urged Igbos to stay put in Lagos even with orchestrated attacks against them and arrests of their kinsmen with the tacit support of state agencies.
Ohanaeze Secretary General Okechukwu Isiguzoro gave the counsel in a statement issued to commemorate the 2023 Easter celebration.
He urged Igbos to remain steadfast and not fear, as the power of the risen Jesus Christ is with them.
He condemned Igbophobic attacks in Lagos and called for vigilance and resoluteness among Igbos, in line with the adage, “Oke anaghị eri ihe onye mụ anya.”
Ohanaeze implored Igbos in Lagos to show brotherly love and support the Eze Igbo of Ajao Estate, Fredrick Nwajagu, who was arrested for expressing the frustration of his people.
Isiguzoro lamented the detention of Nwajagu and urged Igbo lawyers and activists to demand his release or arraignment in court.
“In the spirit of this Pascaltide, Ohanaeze Ndigbo felicitates with Ndigbo worldwide, wishing all the peace that comes with Christ’s glorious resurrection through the power of the risen Messiah,” the statement stressed.
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With God on your side, fear not
“We urge Ndigbo to ‘fear not’ since He that is with us is greater than He that is against us,” Isiguzoro added, per reporting by Daily Post.
“In this season of Igbophobic attacks in Lagos, long after the elections, Ndigbo shall not leave Lagos for anybody or any reason, regardless of the amount of threats of attacks and further arson, including the threat to seize/confiscate their houses from the Lagos traditional stool, especially by those who ought to protect them.
“We must remain strong, vigilant and resolute in line with the Igbo adage, ‘Oke anaghị eri ihe onye mụ anya.’
“In line with Igbo ethos, especially ‘Onye aghala nwanne ya,’ we urge Ndigbo in Lagos to be their brother’s keeper by not abandoning the Eze Igbo of Ajao Estate, Lagos, whose only offence was to speak “hoo!haa!” by voicing out the frustrations his Igbo kith and kin were passing through in Lagos with their lives and businesses under continued and well-orchestrated attacks by terrorists.
“How can our Igbo SANs, lawyers and activists, especially the Olisa Agbakobas be calm while the man who carried their cross illegally stays on in detention without being released or charged to court?”