Chike Okeke
After the 2023 elections, some Ndigbo living in Lagos have been experiencing hard times. In some cases, markets have been closed, residences and business vandalised. Some attacks were perpetrated by thugs and vandals, while others were authorised by government agencies. In a recent example, a business premises owned by Mr. Peter Obi’s brother (with a Certificate of Occupancy) was pulled down without notice. Ndigbo, known for their patience and endurance have been enduring these pains and deprivations, in the hope and expectation that, in keeping with the prayers to God as stated in our national anthem, “help us to build a nation where no man is oppressed”, the Lagos State Governor would order a stop to these actions of man’s inhumanity to man.
Unfortunately, all their hopes have been in vain, rather the acts of tyranny, destruction and vandalism have increased with more venom. Just recently, some local governments in Lagos have changed names of streets bearing Igbo names and replaced them with names of non-Igbos. That of Charly Boy bus-stop in Gbagada being the most controversial. If Awolowo Hall, Akintola Hall, Ahmadu Bello Hall in University of Nigeria, Nsukka are replaced with names of Ndigbo, will we not be paying lip service to the so-called quest for national unity. This sudden and unnecessary change of names is happening in a country whose constitution provides for freedom of individuals to live and conduct their businesses freely and without interference in every part of the country.
Even a highly politically-exposed person with the popularity of Mr. Peter Obi was threatened by two state governors not to visit their states without their express authorisation. Haba! One is constrained to ask, “do Ndigbo still belong to Nigeria.”
A number of federal government agencies and parastatals have compromised themselves in these anti-Igbo actions, the most notorious being the National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration (NAFDAC). This agency, whose activities were brought to limelight under the leadership of an eminent Igbo woman, late Prof. Dora Akunyili, has in recent times made Ndigbo its main target of oppression, deprivation and destruction of their businesses. A few months ago, NAFDAC closed down the popular drugs market in Onitsha in Anambra State for three months. Reason: Some of the traders were engaged in sale of unwholesome, fake and adulterated drugs.
Instead of separating the wheat from the chaff, all the traders were made to suffer. Businessmen, who depend on the sales of the drugs to pay their rents, feed their families, pay children school fees and settle other family bills were left desolate, in hunger and penury for those three months. Where else can this injustice, oppression, cheating and intimidation happen in Nigeria except to the people of the South-east. Of course, as in all previous cases, mum is the word from the Federal Government of Nigeria.
The latest in these acts of treating Ndigbo as third- and fourth-class citizens of Nigeria is NAFDAC’s official invasion of the Balogun Business Associates (BBA) premises in Lagos. No one is against any agency of the federal government executing its Constitutional mandate, but this should be done in accordance with the law. Our legal system abhors arbitrariness and reckless use of power. You cannot, because you are authorized to control the use of wholesome food and genuine drugs manufacturing and distribution in the country, embark on unlawful seizure of goods of businessmen. The danger of the allowing NAFDAC personnel free rein is that they throw the displaced businessmen whose businesses they destroy into the unemployment market. As we are aware idleness is the devil’s workshop. The displaced traders will eventually resort to crime and constitute nuisance to society, a situation that is avoidable ab initio.
Mr. President sir, your attention is humbly needed to stop these acts of vandalism by NAFDAC officials. The traders narrate that from their experience when these goods are returned, some may be tampered with and no longer in good condition. Who will pay for these losses? The souls of these innocent citizens cry to high heavens for justice. Our dear Ashiwaju, kindly intervene and hearken to the cries of the oppressed, deprived and intimidated for no just cause. These acts of man’s inhumanity to man continuing at the Balogun Business Center in Lagos, calls for your Excellency’s immediate intervention. Kindly save the souls of your people. It is indeed an SOS situation.
Chike Okeke wrote in from Lagos.
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