“Why Lagos govt endorsed Idimogu as APC Igbo Apex leader”

By Ezurike Ugochukwu & Ambrose Nnaji

For years, the Igbos in Lagos state have not had a leader of their own in the rulling All Progressives Congress (APC), however, with the emergence and recognition of Hon.Jude Idimogu by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, they now have a leader they could confidently call theirs.

Confirming Hon. Idimogu, as the Apex Igbo leader of the APC in the state, Sanwo-Olu, said the issue of who has the mandate of the people as the true Igbo Apex leader has been rested once and for all.

Obasa

Speaking at a crucial meeting with members of the State House of Assembly, with the Speaker, Rt. Hon.Mudashiru Obasa, in attendance, at the State House, Marina, the governor acknowledged the untiring efforts of Idimogu to lead his Igbo brothers and sisters to the rulling party.

While emphasising the need to put records straight, the governor noted that his Chief of Staff (CoS) would henceforth deal with Idimogu who represents Oshodi/Isolo Constit­uency 11, at the State House of Assembly, on matters relating to Ndigbo in the state.

“My Chief of Staff will deal with Idimogu as the new apex leader of Ndigbo in APC. We have heard of the efforts he has made so far in bringing his people closer to the party. We appreciate his contributions and would relate with him and Ndigbo cordially to make Lagos great for all of us”, the governor stated.

In his response, Idimogu commended the Governor and his colleagues at the House of Assembly for the honour done to him and Ndigbo in Lagos.

He maintained that he had enjoyed tremendous support and cooperation from the Speaker since he was elected into the House in 2015.

Eze Nwachukwu, Lady Idimogu, Hon Idimogu, Eze Lawrence Nnamdi, other Ezes and Igbo leaders at the presentation of the Apex leader to Alimosho People

The lawmaker told his supporters that with his emergence as the apex Igbo leader, the coast had become clearer for more work, stressing that it was not yet Uhuru as every Igbo man in Lagos must be ready to support APC and remain politically relevant through active participation in the party’s affairs.

“You cannot improve your welfare by remaining on the fence. You must register and become card carrying members of our great party. APC is the only party that will allow your voice to be heard in the state and you must take advantage of the support we are getting from the leaders of the party.

“Let them know that we are here to make a difference. We must change the narrative of party politics from today,” Idimogu added.

It will be recalled that Eze Uchechukwu Nwachukwu, the Chairman, Lagos State Igbo Traditional Rulers Council had during the courtesy visit of Idimogu to Eze Lawrence Nnamdi of Alimosho, said that this is the time for the Igbos to break the jinx of representing them without their consent in Lagos State.

Eze Nnamdi watches as Eze Nwachukwu prays for Idimogu

He decried the situation where some persons for the mere fact they speak the dialect, and always wear red cap confers Igbo leadership on them.

“Those people when they talk, they talk as if they are the true representatives of the Igbos, our hosts believe that once you are wearing red Igbo cap, you are a representative of the Igbos, we have been thinking on what to do and how to correct this normally,” he said.

Nwachukwu further stated that it was after a meeting of Igbo traditional leaders and Igbo stakholders in Lagos that the decision to look for a good candidate who will, tell his people the truth was taken and Hon Idimogu was chosen.

“The position we have given him, Igbos in Lagos have not done that for anyone before, all the people answering our leaders in the past are self-imposed, we have as well given him certificate of recognition.

Lady Rose Idimogu (Osodieme) and Hon. Idimogu

“For those that have been misrepresenting the Igbos in the past, we say, Enough is enough! We have given Jude the mantle of leadership, let him go there and do a different thing. He will coordinate and represent Igbos in all the LGAs,” he stated.