Idimogu: Igbo Lagos Apex leader, not APC  leader, says IPU

By Ezurike Ugochukwu

A Pan-Igbo group, Igbo Progressives Union (IPU), worldwide has called on the Igbos in Lagos to see the conferment of Apex leader on Hon. Jude Idimogu as a blessing to all Igbos regardless of their party affiliation and not to sectionalize it as an All Progressives Party (APC) leadership.

The National President of IPU, Chief Bora Nwafor said that as far as Igbos are concerned in the areas of political and leadership hierarchy in Lagos today, it is wrong to address Idimogu as APC Apex leader, rather than Igbo Apex leader which no doubt is the correct designation he presently fits in.

Nwafor

Nwafor who spoke to Nation Update at the palace of Eze Igbo of Alimosho, Eze Lawrence Nnamdi at Ikotun, during the courtesy visit of the Apex leader.

He maintained that there is no doubt that Idimogu is really at the apex of Igbo leadership in Lagos today, whether APC, PDP, APGA and whichever party. He rhetorically asked, “who is that political leader in Lagos of Igbo extraction higher than Jude today? the answer is none.”

Nwafor stated that never in the history of Lagos state, where a particular Igbo leader has embarked on consultation with his brother and sisters in all the Local Government Areas (LGAs), on the importance and gains of joining the ruling party in the state and at the federal level.

“Jude is the highest APC Igbo leader in Lagos, no doubt about that, come to think of it, no Igbo man occupies any political position higher than his presently, he is the Igbo political leader. So long as you are Igboman in lagos, Idimogu is your political leader.

Hon Idimogu

“The position he is holding today as an Honorable Member representing Oshodi/Isolo 11, at the Lagos state House of Assembly confers such status on him. He is not representing only APC members in the house, the party only afforded him the platform to get to the position.

“Jude has been touring the local government areas in Lagos to meet with our people, among the so called self-acclaimed past leaders, in my over 22 years of stay here in Lagos, none has done this,” Nwafor said.

The IPU leader reiterated the benefits of the APC alliance with the Igbos to include more political slots at the state level and LGAs in the state.

“Imagine just with one Igbo man in the House we are benefiting, you can then imagine when four or five Igbos are in government, we have the number to achieve that only for us to join the right party.

“I urge Jude to continue his good work, the Igbos on their part should respect their leaders and make sure they follow their leaders. I believe a leader like Idimogu cannot deceive the Igbos, he is telling us the truth, if he starts deceiving us, we will know,” he said.

2nd left:Eze Iwobi and other Ezes

Speaking at the occasion, Eze Dr. Vincent Iweobi, the Eze of Shasha Kingdom extolled the good leadership virtues of Idimogu, stressing that no power can pull down a hero who has the support of his people.

Iweobi who is also the Obi of Anioma in Delta State stated that the Igbos in Alimosho have their support 100 per cent for Idimogu, he implored others to stand by him to get what is due to the Igbos, stressing that it’s not easy to win an election in Nigeria especially outside one’s domain, its only when one prints a poster for election he would know whether he is loved by his people or not.

A woman leader in Alimosho, Chief Mrs. Juliet Nwafor, said the women are poised to move with Idimogu and his wife, they believe and trust in them.

The steps taken so far by Idimogu, according to Princes Nwafor who is also the IPU woman leader, no leader has done such in the past, “ come to think of it,this season is not the period of political campaigns, but he is taking the pains to visit the  Igbos wherever they are, I think he has got to the foundation of the Igbo apathy to Lagos politics,” she said.

Eze Nwachukwu

Eze  christian Uchechukwu Nwachukwu,Chairman, Igbo Traditional  Rulers Council, Lagos state, while presenting the Apex leader to the people said the Igbos in Lagos are comfortable with Idimogu joining the Asiwaju political family, and that the Ezes and Igbos in Lagos are ready to move along with him because he is their choice and has their mandate.

Eze Lawrence Nnamdi, the Eze Ndi Igbo of Alimosho and the chief host pledge the support of the Alimosho people for Idimogu, stressed that Igbos have suffered denial for so long, and are earnestly seeking for a leader that will unite them, not the one that will scatter them.

He expressed his confidence that Idimogu will do the needful, to bring the Igbos in Lagos together with respect and honor.

Hon Idimogu while expressing his gratitude at the open arms with which his people have welcomed him, he promised not to be selfish in leading the people, stressing that for any leader to be on the side of the masses at all times, such a leader must shun selfishness.

Lady Idimogu, Hon Idimogu and Eze Nnamdi

He appealed to Igbos in Lagos to identify with APC which is the party of the owners of the land in order to achieve their goals with ease.

He said; “It has become really necessary for us to support the ruling party in Lagos. Politics apart, no other political party would thrive here in Lagos for now. They are our landlord, they own the land, so we have to respect and join them and go by their own way.

“As long as you are Igbo man in Lagos, stand up and be counted, let us do something that will make us have a voice, our people have no voice in Lagos, and the only way we can have a stronger voice is when we support the ruling party (APC).

“Our businesses here are thriving because the Yorubas have accepted us fully. The only way to say thank you to them, to reciprocate their kind gesture, is by supporting the ruling party.

“When we support them, the government will in turn support whatever we are doing. Mention has been made of the bad state of the road leading to the palace of Eze Lawrence Nnamdi, we can get the government attend to that and many other similar problems when we support them to get to power.

Idimogu with Ezes, Ohanaeze leaders and Igbo leaders in Lagos at the certification of his Apex leadership.

“We must support APC right from here in Lagos state, and whatever the leadership says we should do, we will do by the grace of God,” Idimogu said.