The President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo in Lagos State, Dr. Solomon Ogbonna Aguene, has strongly condemned what he describes as the systematic marginalization of Igbos during the recent local government elections in Lagos State.
Speaking from his Ikoyi residence on Saturday, Dr. Aguene expressed profound disappointment over what he characterized as a persistent pattern of disenfranchisement facing the Igbo community in Lagos electoral processes.
"It is a known fact that Igbos residing in Lagos are often prevented from exercising their civic rights during elections. This is not peculiar to this particular exercise, it has become a trend," Dr. Aguene stated. "Even though we have contributed immensely to the growth of the state, both economically and socially, we are still not seen as worthy of holding strategic positions."
The Ohanaeze leader highlighted that Igbo candidates are routinely denied opportunities to contest for positions such as local government chairman and councillor. He noted that at best, one might occasionally find Igbos serving as vice chairmen in local councils, but this remains the exception rather than the norm.
Dr. Aguene further criticized the current political climate in Lagos and Nigeria at large, arguing that it falls short of true democratic ideals. He emphasized that genuine democracy must be founded on principles of fairness, inclusivity, and equal representation for all citizens regardless of ethnic background.
"What we have is not democracy, but a system where opportunists hijack power and suppress the will of the people. This, in turn, leads to widespread voter apathy because citizens no longer see the point in participating in a process that consistently fails them," he added.
The Ohanaeze president called for a more inclusive political framework that recognizes and respects the rights of all ethnic groups, particularly those who have made significant investments and contributions to Lagos State's development over the years.
This situation highlights the ongoing tensions surrounding political representation for non-indigenous communities in Lagos, despite the state's cosmopolitan nature and the substantial economic contributions made by various ethnic groups to its growth and development.
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