Former Deputy National Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Bode George, has lampooned those engaged in the controversy over the ownership of Lagos, describing it as a needless distraction.

He, however, said that no matter how people twist the narrative over the ownership of Lagos State, Nigerians know the truth.

George, in a statement, titled, “Enough of this distraction,” said as a bonafide Lagosian, it is not in our tradition to discriminate.”

He described the controversy over Lagos ownership, especially from elders, as disheartening, shameful, embarrassing, disgraceful and unpatriotic at this economic situation of the country.

George maintained that Nigerians should refuse to be divided by diversionary issues that add no value to their lives, but make the government accountable to them through good governance.

He stressed that efforts, at this trying time, should be geared towards ensuring good governance, addressing insecurity, tackling economic issues, taking people out of poverty and delivering quality healthcare to the people, saying: “Anything short of all these is a complete waste of time.”

The elder statesman, therefore, urged all not to allow tribal sentiments to cloud their sense of reasoning in making positive decisions to the society, irrespective of where they live.

He said: “What a distraction. What a disturbance. What a perturbation. It is shameful that at a time millions of Nigerians are going through anguish and extreme pain, some elders are flexing muscles on proprietorship of the Centre of Excellence.

“The question to ask is what exactly is the intention of these agitators? The whole gamut of argument about the ownership of Lagos is not of any importance to patriotic Nigerians at this crucial time.

“Obviously, it is just a diversionary issue. All these combatants and gladiators should know that.

“Pitiably, the ship of the nation is currently drifting, yet the issue of who is the rightful owner Lagos is what some people prefer to discuss.

“It is rather disheartening for the government to encourage the people to engage in a frivolous narrative about founders of Lagos, a debate triggered by the comments freely expressed by a traditional ruler, who himself did not choose the tribe he originated from.”

“I say enough of engaging in such a diversionary issue as nobody created him or herself to be a Bini, Hausa, Igbo, Itsekiri, Kanuri, Fulani, Ijaw or Yoruba. We are all humans.

“What should be of utmost concern at this critical period of despondency is how to make life meaningful to all and sundry.

“We should stop wasting time or dissipating energies on non-issues as nobody chooses to be a member of the tribe he or she hails from in the country from birth.”