by Oge Okonkwo
Former Governor of Abia State, Chief Orji Uzor Kalu
A seven-day ultimatum has been given by the former governor of Abia State, Chief Orji Uzor Kalu, to the Lagos State Government to offer an apology to the allegedly deported 67 persons of the Igbo ethnic group from Lagos to Onitsha in Anambra State or he would head to court in their interest saying there was no law in the country, that gives a state or governor power to deport any Nigerian citizen to any part of the country.
Orji Kalu condemned the action of the state government as lawless and vexatious and further stated that it threatens the corporate existence of the country.
ThisDay reports:
In a statement made available to THISDAY Monday, Kalu said there was right to freedom of movement for every Nigerian as enshrined in Section 41 of the 1999 Constitution.
Besides, the former governor argued that it was an open secret that the Igbo contribute about 55 per cent to the Lagos economy.
“It is appalling to learn that the deported Igbo were even detained in Ikorodu for about six months before their illegal deportation.
“They were taken to Onitsha in four buses, escorted by anti-riot policemen,” he said.
One of them, Osondu Mbuto, a trader from Ohaozara in Ebonyi State, was on his way to his shop on December 18, 2012 when he was arrested by officials of the state’s Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI) and detained for no reason until he was deported in his father’s land.
“The reaction of the state government that the Igbo were deported to reunite them with their families was the worst insult to any race.
“Governor Fashola’s Special Adviser on Youths and Social Development, Dr. Enitan Dolapo Badru, said: ‘The end result is to reunite them back with their families.’
“What an affront against the collective will of Ndigbo or any other race in Nigeria to live and do business in any part of the country?
“The action of the state government is not only wicked but a clear breach of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended.
“To worsen the matter, most of those deported are not even indigenes of Anambra State. Is Anambra State now a dumping ground for any act of illegality? Is Lagos State Government above the law of the country? If not, can it operate another set of laws without recourse to constitution amendment? Is it not a travesty of justice that officers of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) were even used for this illegal act against the Nigerian state? Was the supervising officer, who allowed the deployment of the policemen, not told that they were going to be used for the deportation of Nigerians they were paid by tax payers’ money to protect in their fathers’ land?
“The action is a gross infraction to the rights of the deportees to dwell in any part of Nigeria without discrimination. With this wicked, crude and primitive deportation, I just wonder why a component unit of Nigeria, under the authority and supremacy of a constitution would choose to be lawless in such an unconstitutional conduct. Not even under the military would such an action have happened.
“Even if a criminal offence was committed, the place to take them to is the court, not for them to be deported. The action of the Lagos State Government is lawless as it is vexatious and I condemn it in strong terms because it threatens the existence of our country. All patriotic Nigerians should say no to this xenophobic action of Lagos State Government because it usurps the powers of the federal government and disregards our constitution.
“I demand a public apology from the governor within seven days to all those illegally deported and a repeat of such an act must be stopped or I will head to court to defend the interest of the Ndigbo in Lagos. Enough is enough.”
Its vry vry unfortunate what Igbos suffers in this country but one thing this yorubas fails to realise is that as long as this country is concern Igbos has already been bless by God even to adapt to any situation. Come to the east $ see how igbos protect srangers even more than there own brothers but theres noting fashola or any yorubas will do to chase igbos out of this lagos except the country is divided!
Lagos state govt has d right 2 make or enact a law!!! No doubt about that…d law anacted by any state govt in nigeria should nt in any way undermine d consitution governing d federal republic of nigeria….it become unconsistional 4 lagos state govt 2 deport 67 of d igbos claiming dt d exercise was meant 4 dem 2 unite with dia respectives family even after detaining dem in ikorodo 4 over 6 months….on d account dt dia wia helpless or beggers, beggers,helpless pple in lagos comprises nigerian 4rm differenct tribe even d yourbas….so my question is why was dis inhuman policy melted down only on d igbo whereas we have oda tribes dat r into d same siutation
solo or what ever you name is, you are a big fool and a son of a hungry prostitute. is lagos state your home town? even the so called fashola is from ekiti state and not lagos state
Thank u @OMoruyi Austine u really hv common sense not like that idiot solo
Its really appalling Fø̲̣̣я̅ a man t̶̲̥̅̊ợ̣̣̇̇̇ infringe into the right of any citizen a̶̲̥̅̊n̶̲̥̅̊d̶̲̥̅̊ it will a breadge of the constitution or a break I̶̲̥̅̊n̶̲̥̅̊ the constitutional rigth of an individual, it really emabarrasing.the governnor need t̶̲̥̅̊ợ̣̣̇̇̇ give a public appology t̶̲̥̅̊ợ̣̣̇̇̇ the 67 citizen of nigeria they deprived their righ a̶̲̥̅̊n̶̲̥̅̊d̶̲̥̅̊ t̶̲̥̅̊ợ̣̣̇̇̇ the governor of Anambra Fø̲̣̣я̅ the public assort or sue him t̶̲̥̅̊ợ̣̣̇̇̇ court am I̶̲̥̅̊n̶̲̥̅̊ full support
@Solo u are a black coward shameless idiot,u are down hopeless i can see dat ur mother gave birth to u under idoo bridge,fuck u man.
Ahh shabi una wan get biafra so u no wan to be deported and u want biafra,forget we go deport u all.
Solo ur father am sure say the state way u dey na ur own na make u dey talk like mumu way no no he mama
Lagos state is unique not only for her population, location or as a former capital of the country but for the good policies being carried out by the government to make the state the best and being the pace setter.
Granted, the nigeria constitution is very clear on the issues concerning citizenship; to practice any religion, right to any association and to dwell in any part of the country. Nevertheless, that is not a licence for anybody to engage in any criminal act or constitute a nuisance where non of there families can be traced.
It is a known fact that most people looking for greener pasture would relocate to lagos without a job, shelter or relations. You don’t need a psycologist to tell you such an individual will commit crime nor an economist to tell you what impact that will have on the society.
Therefore, there is a need for check and balance in other to avoid chaos and to make the system operational.
Meanwhile, this can only be achieve by been proactive, pragmatic and using an holistic approach to bring crime to the lowest level.
Lagosians are hospitable, good and educated people who respect the law and understood the rule of engagement.
As for mr kalu, these gesture is not aimed to undermine the integrity of the igbos as the deportees were not taken to their state of origin but to there families who could genuinely give a helping hand to the victim. To prove this,when text books were distributed to pupils in lagos state public schools, Ndigbos were not exemted
Also i believe assumption is the lowest form of knowledge, if Ndigbo has 55 percent of the total investment in lagos, we need facts and figures to back your claims at the court.
Finally,rather than been judgemental or sentimental on this issue, we should look beyond our tribal inequalities and welcome good policies which could propel our economic growth and consequently make our country flourish.
Eko o ni baje ooooo!!!
Hahaha the remaining igbo will be deported soon or later.