A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State has pleaded with the Igbo community in the state to reward the hospitable nature of the southwest state by voting for the ruling party in Saturday’s governorship election.
POLITICS NIGERIA reports that on March 11, 2023, residents of Lagos will be going to the polls to elect their Governor, deputy and members of the State House of Assembly.
Igbokwe who said he understands the sentiment with which Igbo people voted during the last presidential election, said the coming governorship election provides a time for “a deep handshake”.
“Please vote for APC all the way,” Igbokwe wrote on his known Facebook page on Sunday.
“Our host, the Yoruba Nation has treated us very well, sheltered, accommodated us , provided conducive atmosphere, the enabling environment, the security for our businesses to try . We have recorded great and monumental progress in Lagos since 1970.
“This is not the time point accusing fingers, this is not the time to play ethnic politics, this is not the time for blame games, this not the time to point accusing fingers or to create animosity and ethnic divisions. No Umunnem, this the time to cement and renew our relationship with the Yoruba nation that dates back to 50s and 60s. This is the time a deep handshake. This is the time to build more bridges, build more friendship sand more cultural synergy. A lot is at stake in Lagos. Igbo have built huge business empire in Lagos and we are not taking all these for granted. Yoruba are good and they accommodate people.
“We voted in the last Saturday Presidential Elections and I know that our son is on the ballot and you voted for him. It is not out of place because he is our son. We played the politics and we have moved on. Politics is fun. Politics is a game. Politics is deep. Saturday March 11 and let us not burn bridges but build new bridges of hope, friendship, brotherhood, mutual respect and understanding.
“Let us not vote out of annoyance because a lot is at stake like I have said. An Igbo adage says if out of annoyance you remove your hat and throw it away some else can pick it and use it forever. Everybody needs everybody to live. God made it so. Handshake across the Niger is still standing. Yoruba nation returned all our properties with three years rent to us after the war in 1970. We were not lucky with our neighbours in the South. Let us remember all this for the good of the commonwealth.”
