Ndigbo United Declares Support For Defected Lagos Lawmaker

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LAGOS/By Dipo Awojobi – Ndigbo United and other Igbo groups in Lagos have thrown their weight behind the defected Lagos lawmaker, Hon. Jude Idimogu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.
The groups declared their support for the lawmaker and Lagos APC at a meeting organised for Idimogu on Saturday night to explain to Igbo Community why he decamped to APC at the Lagos Assembly.
The meeting, held at Igbo Unity House in Ejigbo, Lagos, had in attendance cross sections of Igbo leaders and rulers.
 Idimogu, who is representing Oshodi/Isolo Constituency II at the Lagos State House of Assembly alongside other five Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lawmakers decamped to the APC on February 16.
The Traditional Prime Minister of Eze-Ndigbo in Isolo, Ugochiniyere Asianya, called on Idimogu to inform the leadership of the House that the entire N’digbo  supported his decision to moved to the ruling party.
Asianya, who gave the support after the lawmaker adduced reasons for his defection before Igbo leaders and rulers, said the step was a wise decision for the protection of Igbos in Lagos.
“Go out and say it loud that we are in support of your defection,we will follow you everywhere you go.
“Tell the leadership of the House that the Igbo nation in Lagos support your action,we give 100 percent support to the ruling party.”
According to him, the lawmaker has all it takes to go far, as he has demonstrated high level of humility in the office.
Also speaking at the meeting, another Igbo leader, Ikem Agbasi, the Eze Oshodi,/Isolo said :”I am pleased with the way the lawmaker has conducted himself so far.
“We will support you anywhere you go ,we are fully behind you.”
The APC Publicity  Secretary in the state, Mr. Joe Igbokwe, who welcomed the lawmaker to the ruling party, called on all Ndigbo in Lagos to support and be loyal to the ruling party.
Igbokwe challenged the Ndigbo to change their strategy in politics and remain united to protect the interest of the Igbo nation in Lagos.
He said: “We have developed this country together, we have investments everywhere,  we are not going to leave them for anybody.
“There is no permanent friend or enemy  in politics, our people need to change strategy, Igbo people should work with APC. I want to speak all of us to sit down and play better politics.”
A member of APC Board of Trustees, Dr Ken Modi Ken, who expressed satisfaction with Idimogu’s defection to APC, said that the decision was right for the Igbo vision.
“I am happy that you have joined the ruling party,we need to protect the Igbo investment in Lagos, the economy of Lagos is in our hands. APC will not disappoint you all,” he said.
Giving explanation for his defection, Idimogu maintained that he joined the ruling party to protect the interest of his Igbo brothers and sisters in Lagos and not for any selfish agenda.
The lawmaker said: “As the only Igbo member in the Lagos Assembly, l am supposed to be a voice for the Igbos in Lagos but it’s difficult for me as a member of opposition party, PDP.
“Four years will soon be over, and many of you will ask me directly or indirectly what are my achievements. I want to achieve, I don’t want to be a failure.
“Of course, the government of Mr Akinwumi Ambode has shown me love, the leadership of the House has be magnanimous enough but the truth remains there are things I wouldn’t get as a PDP member.
“We should not forget, we are in Lagos, this is Lagos, I want all of us to support Ambode to achieve greatness. At our villages, we can do whatever we like, but here in Lagos, the party is the way.”
Idimogu informed the Igbo leaders that since he moved to APC, some infrastructural projects had been penned down by the governor for the constituency.
“As I speak with you now, since I joined APC another, four new roads have been approved in my constituency. So, we will miss so many things if we play opposition here. I should not be a fool.
“So, I have thought about it, this step is necessary to protect the interest of Igbo people and my constituents. Majority of Igbo in Lagos are businessmen and women, we must try and support ruling party.”
Earlier in his opening remarks, High Chief Ejikeme Okeke, the chairman of the occasion, who called on Ndigbo to support Idimogu for second, third and even forth terms, said thay very soon, an Igbo man would be the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly.

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