By Danielle Lobito
Kalu had accused the Lagos State governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, of pursuing a vendetta mission because of his threat to sue the state over the deportation of Igbo from Lagos. “When I said I vowed to take him to court over his deportation of Ndi Igbo from Lagos, he told some people that he would seal my house for threatening to take him to court.”
—The Guardian
Dr Orji Uzor Kalu
What is Nigeria turning into? Is Nigeria a country where you cannot make a simple comment via freedom of expression? It is very childish for the Lagos State Government (LSG) to seal off a property that belongs to the former Governor of Abia State Dr Orji Uzor Kalu because he commented on the illegal ‘deportation’ of 70 Igbo people to Anambra State and other Nigerians in Nigeria. LSG accused Kalu of owing annual land use fee but Kalu refuted the allegation.
Kalu allegedly said that Lagos was no man’s land which is a general assumption that most non Lagosians have made for several years. We could not find any fault in what Kalu said for several reasons which could mean that anybody who supports Kalu in his battle with LSG is likely to be deported from Lagos State or suffer from victimization. Ayakata!
There is no doubt that the former Aviation Minister Mr Femi Fani kayode contributed to Kalu’s problem with his quick rejoinder titled ‘The Bitter Truth About The Igbo’ (1-3) as if Igbo people were nonentities in Lagos State or second class citizens in Nigeria by mentioning the names of top Yoruba achievers in history who made it before the Igbos. Fani Kayode added petrol to the blaze or tribal argument. He did not allow LSG to react to Kalu’s comment and acted as if he were Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola’s private PRO. Former Education Minister Dr Oby Ezekwesili called for the arrest of Fani kayode because of his hateful comments against Igbo people.
He later apologized for mentioning the names of three Igbo women he dated in the past e.g., Nigeria’s Ambassador to Spain, Mrs Bianca Ojukwu when she was Miss Bianca Onoh although she is now a widow. He might as well apologize for dressing down the Igbo tribe too since he may not know if any of his children would marry from Igboland because it would be unfair for them to 'suffer' for their father’s misdeed through laughable comments that could erupt from some aggrieved Igbo people in future.
Nevertheless, we truly hope that Mr Fani Kayode would say the truth about Lagos rather than paint a glossy picture of Lagos being 'owned' by Yoruba people which is a fallacy because the original settlers in Lagos were not known to be 100% Yoruba. That was probably where the 'no man’s land' assumption came from.
Several years ago, some foreign journalism lecturers and their Nigerian students paid journalist cum Akran of Badagry, His Royal Majesty Oba De Wheno Aholu Menu-Toyi 1, OFR a visit in Lagos State. He told them that his people were not originally Nigerians but they settled in Lagos and they were not Yoruba. Different settlers came to Lagos from different countries and some Nigerian states therefore Fani Kayode should read history books and ask historians to tell him who the original ‘owners’ of Lagos were before it became the ‘property’ of LSG and stop embarrassing Igbo people worldwide. The Peoples Democratic Party called Fashola a dictator ‘for sealing off a property’ which belongs to Kalu. LSG should release Kalu’s property and leave him alone! Awon ika, Lagos for show!
Lagos State Govornor Babatunde Fashola has ordered the re-opening of the Ikoyi home of former Abia State Governor Orji Uzor Kalu following Kalu’s outcry that he was being victimised for spearheading the opposition to the July 24 dumping of 72 alleged destitute in Onitsha, Anmbra State, by the Fashola administration.
—News Express
Before Femi-Fani Kayode dies of Igbophobia
Fani-Kayode: A bigot in search of redemption
Fani-Kayode: The bitter truth about a bitter man
The Bitter Truth About The Igbo By Femi Fani-Kayode
THE BITTER TRUTH ABOUT THE IGBO (3)-FEMI FANI KAYODE
PDP Lambasts Fashola Over Sealing Of Kalu's Property
Lagos Government: Kalu Is A Land Use Charge Defaulter, It is a lie – Kalu
Ezekwesili wants Fani-Kayode arrested; Fani-Kayode draws battle-line
A Word For Those Calling Me An Igbo-Hater, By Femi Fani-Kayode
Femi Fani-Kayode Is A Bigoted, Anti-Igbo Tribalist By Femi Aribisala
Femi Fani Kayode’s Gaffe And Bigotry On Lagos Deportations By Lawrence Chinedu Nwobu
Fani-Kayode apologises to Bianca Ojukwu, two ex-girlfriends named in controversial essay
A Brotherly Advice to Governor Akpabio
You were elected to serve and promote the best interests of Akwa Ibom and not to run errands for the Federal Government. You can do your job very well without getting involved in the pettiness being foisted on our nation from the very top. What shall it profit the Presidency if it achieves its crooked ambition of removing Amaechi as Chairman of a social club called the Nigeria Governors Forum? More importantly, what shall it add to your own curriculum vitae if Amaechi is eventually impeached as the Governor of Rivers State?
I believe you have gone too far and too deep into this matter that it would seem there was a personal animosity between both of you when there may not be any. However perception is key and public opinion even more so. There is no reason, whatsoever, for you to get involved in a matter that concerns one of your colleagues. The Federal Government is big enough to fight its own battles. It has Ministers, Special Advisers and many hangers-on who are willing to act as cannon fodder or even suicide bombers. You are too big and far too important to be used as a human King Kong. You stand to lose more than what you can gain if you persist and continue on this dangerous road to perdition. What I can see very clearly is that you’re eroding and wasting your excellent equity on a worthless venture.
—Dele Momodu
