South East APC group moves to broker peace between Igbo, Yoruba

Condemns inciting statements

Members of the South-East/Igbo All Progressives Congress (APC) Progressives Roundtable (SIAPRO) have warned against ethnic strife and tension between Igbo and Yoruba, urging those making inciting statements to desist, henceforth.

The group, which made the call, yesterday, in Abuja, said its mission is to unite all APC members from the five South/East states and neighbouring states towards developing a common voice on issues concerning its members, the South East region, as well as the Igbo ethnic nationality in Nigeria.

The Convener of the group, Uche Diala, condemned any individual or group making inciting ethnic statements. He further described them as “political rascals,” stressing that Igbo have been known for ages as noble guests, who do nothing but add value to their hosts in a symbiotic relationship, which, he hoped, will continue to blossom in Lagos State.

Diala said: “It is heartbreaking to observe what happened in Lagos, recently, where misguided Igbo with little or altered sense of history embarked on a fight that was needless and tactless.

“A visitor should not be a burden or source of misfortune to his host.

“Lagos is no less Yoruba land as Anambra is Igbo land. Lagos is not a no man’s land; any contrary view to this is irresponsible and provocative.”

Diala noted that as progressive democrats, members of the group believe that every Nigerian has a right to aspire to any political office that he or she is qualified for, and to vote and be voted for wherever one resides and pays taxes.

He said the group would not support any act that would deprive anyone of such rights. Diala, therefore, appealed to “Yoruba compatriots from Lagos to overlook any provocation, disrespect or insults they might have incurred from the last election cycle.

He stressed that the mutually beneficial and long-term relationship between Igbo and Yoruba in Lagos is cemented in inter-tribal marriages, intricate and rewarding business relationships and decades of successful political collaboration.

He said: “I want to tell those in Lagos to realise that there is no war between us and Yoruba. Those who are fermenting trouble are just political rascals, and we, therefore, condemn remarks and actions that seek to deepen the divide and create unnecessary tension, while also stating that there has been equally unacceptable conduct in words and action across board, which included characterisation and stigmatisation of Igbo.”

The group insisted that majority of Igbo are law abiding and patriotic Nigerians, who believe in the unity and respect of sovereignty of Nigeria.