There can be little doubt that the relocation of the 19 igbo destitutes from Lagos state a few months ago was a lawful exercise and that it was done in the interest of Lagos state.
Consequently I do not believe that Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola ought to have tendered any form of apology whatsoever to the igbo for what he did. The only redeeming factor is the fact that the apology was obviously designed simply to calm frayed nerves and I commend Fashola for that gesture if nothing else. I say this because my understanding is that he apologised NOT for the deportation itself but for ''the misunderstanding that arose from it''. There is a world of difference between the two.
I also commend him for admonishing the igbo to develop their own region and to decide whether they are ''igbo before they are Nigerians or Nigerians before they are igbo''. This is a fundamental question that I believe that we must all determine in our hearts and minds whether we are of igbo, yoruba, hausa/fulani or ijaw stock or anything else.
For the purposes of clarification the debate that has been raging in the land for the last two months, though sparked off by Fashola's relocations, was more about the curious claim that Lagos state was ''no man's land'' which the igbo jointly own with the yoruba and which they had developed, and are indeed still developing, with their money and nothing else. It was that assertion, and not the plight of a handful of igbo destitues, that many of us from west of the River Niger took issue with. Fashola and others have said publiclly that it is ''absurd'' and ''insulting'' for anyone to call Lagos state ''no-man's land'' and that is good enough for me. As long as he did not apologise for saying that I have no problem with whatever he may or may not have said about the deportations even though, had I been governor, I would have handled it differently.
The truth is that the yoruba way is to apologise not only when you are wrong but also when you are right if you believe that the other party has been badly hurt by your actions. It is a generous and kind disposition which is borne out of the yoruba concept of the ''omoluwabi spirit''- a good heart and a clean spirit that desires, above all else, peace, joy and harmony. Yet to those from outside yorubaland that do not share that disposition, that do not understand that spirit and that cannot even begin to comprehend it, an apology is nothing less than an admission of guilt and wrong- doing and a trophy of triumph to those whom it is offered.
It is for this reason that I believe that it was wrong for Fashola to apologise and that it is important for us to consider the long term implications of what he has done. The truth is that in life perception counts for everything. And rightly or wrongly the perception that most people have, particularly amongst the igbo, is that Fashola has indeed apologised for the deportations. This perception is supported by misleading newspaper headlines which were drafted and written by journalists who did not bother to read the text or properly decipher the statement.
Whether anyone likes it or not this latest development is viewed as a great triumph for the hardline igbo nationalists and the Governor Peter Obi's of this world who honestly believe that the igbo have some kind of special rights or special status in Lagos and indeed in yorubaland. They say and do things in Lagos and other parts of the west that they dare not do in the north and that they will never allow our people to do in the east.This is because they fear the northerners who have often put them in their place when they cross the line but they have nothing but contempt for us. Fashola has now given those within the igbo community that have this mindset far more legitimacy, strength and confidence.
In any case now that dishing out apologies is the order of the day and he has set the precedent, the question has to be asked- will Peter Obi take a cue from that, be a gentleman and apologise for deporting the people of Akwa Ibom from his Anambra state as well? Is Obi that reasonable or charitable? Do those that think like him believe trhat what is good for the goose is good for the gander? I doubt it very much. Again will Fashola apologise to the numerous northerners that he deported from Lagos as well and will he apologise to his yoruba kith and kin from Oyo and Osun for deporting them too? I really do wonder how far this new-found large-heartedness and seasonal expression of regrets will go? Will it be spread everywhere or is it exclusively reserved for the igbo?
More importantly, in the spirit of this new rapprochement, will Fashola secretly conceede portions of Lagos state and yorubaland to them as well? Will he take my dear egbon and former cabinet colleague, Senator Adeseye Ogunlewe's counsel, and wholeheartedly accept the interesting notion that the igbo have ''married all our daughters'' in idungaran and isale-eko and that we should therefore give all our land and territory to them? Will he give up the patrimony of his people all in the name of trying to appease the igbo and get their votes for the APC in the upcoming governorship election in Anambra state? If that is the plan I doubt that it will work because they are a pretty unforgiving lot. The more you give the more they will ask for and at the end of the day you will end up losing far more than you gain.
Governor Chris Ngige, who is an amiable gentleman and one of the most decent, accomodating, liberal, detribalised and civilised people that I know from the east, will gain nothing from this and sadly the person that will gain from it will be the hardline, igbocentric Peter Obi and his APGA candidate in november's gubernatorial election in Anambra state. People like Fashola need to undersatand that sometimes in trying to play the generous statesman and the kind-hearted omoluwabi we end up being taken for granted and making fools of ourselves. You only apologise to those who will appreciate it, who do not necessarily see it as an admission of guilt and who will not misconstrue it as weakness. This is because the display of weakness by any leader, no matter how well-liked, only attracts impudence and aggression from those who have a hidden agenda. A word is enough for the wise.
If I were Governor of Lagos state I would never have apologised for the execution of a legitimate and lawful exercise which was absolutely necessary and which was done in the interests of my state and my people, no matter how many cows I had been offered or given by the kinsmen of those affected. What Fashola has done, albeit inadvertently, is to betray those amongst his yoruba kith and kin that stood by him and defended him when he took that historic and controversial decision to deport the igbo destitutes. He has also fuelled the erroneous impression that is held by most of the igbo that the yoruba people and their leaders are bumbling and inconsistent cowards that cannot stand firm when put under pressure and when faced with threats and hardship.
This is sad and unfortunate because that is not who or what we are. Though we cherish and often manifest the omoluwabi spirit, the yoruba are also a lion-hearted people- we are slow to anger but irresistable in battle. We are as constant as the northern star even though we are accomodating and generous. I have immense respect for Fashola and I happen to have a spoft spot for him but I believe that his behaviour is a clear u-turn and that it represents a double standard, a capitulation of values and a revocation of principle. You don't apologise for government policy just to appease a certain group of people no matter how bellicose, violent, loud and aggressive they may be. It is better to lose a million elections outside yorubaland than to conceed even one inch of yoruba territory to those that seek to lay claim to that which is not theirs. A word is enough for the wise. Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
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IGBOs go give U B.P.
ReplyDeleteffk ur own is to make noise every were. I will send boko h for u.eck.
ReplyDeleteStupid Man! I don't really know what is puffing u up! Keep behaving like an uncivilize goat! Its obvious u hv been dealth with by d igbos,especially ur acclaimed girl friends. FFK,u are not a man of peace,n I hate u for this. A governor saw d need in tendering an apology n here u are insulting him.
ReplyDeleteFFK Your Image will never be redeemed,,,, Fashola is not a spoilt Child Like you,,, He (Fashola) studied here in Nigeria,, He a custodian of his tribe and tradition,,, FFK your hate has brought you more enemies,pain, and setback,,,
ReplyDeleteGo to hell ffk, u are just a big fool u can never be d governor of lagos state so just stop being a big fool.
ReplyDeleteObviously, many dislikes FFK cos Of his opinion Øñ this issue but let us call ã spade wht it is and not ã shovel. This man voiced his opinion Øñ issues and I see no reason why he needs to ßè crucified. In all I agreed to 85% Of all is opinions. Deportation within ã country is constitutional and is not the first time it happens even within Nija. I know I ll ßè crucify as well, I await U̶̲̥̅̊я abuses !!!
DeleteHe whom the gods want to punish they first make mad. This man is no longer with his senses.
ReplyDeleteII don't think Femi Fani Kayode deserves any more abuses. I think he deserves to be pitied in the light of his present condition which I think is quite unfortunate.
ReplyDeleteWhy are you sulking over an apology made by someone who has decided to toe the path of honour? Why are you crying more than the bereaved? You probably need to think through you articles before publishing because to say that they diminish your person fast is to say the least.
Is it difficult to understand the difference between relocating people with the aim of re-uniting them with their families and dumping them off at upper iweka in the wee hours of the morning say 2.00am?
You really do not need the enmity you are currying for yourself and your family especially your innocent children. You want to be more catholic than the pope? The man in the eye of the storm has realized that the action even if justified has so methodical flaws and tendered an unreserved apology.
FFK, your write ups are unintelligent and filled with so many contradictions. Your perspective is devoid of common sense and your articulations only give flesh to the ascertions that you are only certificated and not educated.
You probably think that BRF apologised because he was scared of the Igbos or because he received more cows from them for his father's funeral or because of Ngige's election? Those thoughts can only come from a wapped mind. He did it because he is human and his humanness told him to apologise to human. He did it because he is a lawyer and justice told him to apologise to people unjustly treated. He did it because he is honourable and honour told him to apologise to people stripped of honour.
If you were the governor, you would act differently but you can't be the governor of a megapolis like Lagos. Your tribal disposition betrays you. Your small mindedness wouldn't allow you. So forget it.
Finally Femi Fani Kayode, you again took a swipe on the entire Igbo nation and called them what they are not and cannot as an entity. It is falacious and cambridge should teach you that. I advise you pause and ponder through your write ups lately, may be you would apologise too. Emeka U.
Pls who is dis Naging pregnant Woman can't dis boy just hide himself in shame very soon u wil b focer by a woman 2 apologize 2 whole nigerians again
ReplyDeleteI am not Igbo but I now see why Femi Aribisala called Femi Fani-Kayode "a bigoted tribalist". What does he mean by "... they fear the northerners who have often put them in their place when they cross the line ..."? Is this how a "Cambridge trained" analyses things? He wants to turn the North against the Igbos after failing to turn the Yorubas against them. What has been happening in the North is Islamic extremity and is not limited to the Igbos alone. I am sorry for him - he needs to repent because he is not a christian he claims to be. Like Femi Aribisala said, Femi Fani-kayode is "... like father like son ..." He is not only a fool, he is a BIG fool.
ReplyDeleteFoolish Fallow knucklehead-FFK, you are such a shallow minded idiot.
ReplyDeleteFemi is in big trouble and he is only trying to divert attention.....please focus with him on the the greater problems he has....FFK easy man!
ReplyDeleteA rattle snake,I call FFk.A parrot that talks randomly.Everybody should snob his write ups.When he gets no reactions,he will understand his foolishness.
ReplyDeleteI feel pity for the self proclaimed cambridge trained snitch,FFK, for the records, don't make enemies with the isrealites for they are already blessed by God himself so be careful what your myopic makes u write.The Governor took the path of humanity,peace,good Leadership, and above all a statesman of high Repute and here you wishing you be in his shoes to do otherwise...WAKE UP alariwo la son la son, you can't be governor like seriously are you a learner?
ReplyDeleteThis man needs help & the earlier he gets it, the better for him, his family & his yoruba tribe cos Nigeria, as a whole, does not need such a bigoted tribalist. It's so unbelievable that such a person even saw d walls of Cambridge university.
ReplyDeleteI think FFK needs some prayers; its obvious the abuses he has received is affecting him psychologically.
ReplyDeletePLEASE pray for him; don't abandon him.
Worse than a tribalist.
ReplyDeleteSorry FFK, u sopported a wrong cause and daz y ppl like like u will continue to get it wrong forever. Ur just uncomfortable and threatned by Igbos. I wonder wot Igbos enjoy in Lagos Yorubas are forbidden from enjoying in our land cos dey are strangers. Change ur way although I don't think u still have a poilitacl future. Daz how pple with expired political ambition reason. Good for u. Shame unto u.
ReplyDeleteIs there any need to respond to lunatic ffk? They said silence is the best answer to a fool but atimes one need to expose a fool's stupidity to him to make mockery of him and put him to shame. It is high time his family members should chain him up before he runs out of the house as a result of his new madness cos once he enters market it will turn to uncurable madness. Why is this wee wee smoker ffk taking panadol for another person's headache. Finally, lunatic ffk should be called to order before he will sparke up great war in this country. Why would he be bringing northern killings of nigerians in this matter? Or is he a member of bh?
ReplyDeleteCan't stop laughing {, he sure got what he deserve"tongue lashing". See how much you are hated by people. So pitiful
ReplyDeleteNever seen such magnitude of stupidity displayed by a grown up.FFK is hopelessly hopeless!
ReplyDeleteI support ffk piece, though I'm from south south. The igbos are too loud and have taken the Yorubaz for granted. The can try all these rubbish in da North, they should grateful the Yorubas are peaceful and accommodative. In ffk words, the igbos don't deserve any apology, except all the other state Govz dat ve deported other state citizen apologize. Igboz note that when the war starts you , will all run and leave ur pprty behind. Unfortunate aspect is dat the Yorubaz will also think we from south south are Igboz. Unreasonbly proud tribe.
ReplyDeleteThe Igbos always shows the character which Femi described them with "bigoted". How do you describe the attitudes of raining insults on Femi by the Igbos anytime he make his position known concerning issues that affect him and his tribe. Fashola's full statement on the said apology should be published for everyone to read and conclude whether his address to the Igbos on the said occasion can be taken for apology to the Igbos over a legitimate action of deportation of destitues out of Lagos.
ReplyDeleteWhat triggered the whole debate has not being address (calling Lagos) "a no-man's land". until the person responsible for the statement "Lagos is no-man's land" withdraws the statement and apologize to the Yoruba people, what befell the Igbos in the north awaits them in the west, its just a matter of time. We shall see very soon whether the Yoruba people are "coward" or not when the spirit of Oduduwa finally decide to make a different between the owners and custodians of the land and visitors in the land. A word is enough for a wise, Igbo people and their children should learn to respect the Yorubas on their ancestral land, period. Oduduwa people welcome all and sundry to to their land but equally demand all visitors to respect the people and the land where they came to sojourn. We are watching and reading all comments emanating from this saga with keen interest. (Oduduwa Youth Association).
Fellow Nigerians, let us be wise and not fall into this trap of forming factions. Until this country is divided, we remain Nigerians. Lets not fan the embers of war. Let's learn from history. The Tutsis and Hutsis started like this. They were in the same country but were enemies. I am Yoruba and in my mid-thirties. The civil war (at least from what I read about it) wasn't a good experience for any tribe. Our fathers who wtinessed it won't want a repeat. We should not work at extending the war. There are many inter-marriages between Yorubas and Igbos as with other tribes in the country. We all should band together and demand better life from the politicians who are taking advantage of our silence and disunity to rip us off and drain our future. Nigerians, be wise! No one should listen to FFK anymore, he's just a warmonger. I guess he has weapons to sell. Please, this madness should end immediately!
ReplyDeleteIn the Fani Kayode world Femi is King. However in the real world awash with the true and honest depictions of life, Femi is more of a dis-regarded HedgeHog. I think he is suffering from Syphilis induced Dementia and people just don't understand or see the signs. Pratting of at every opportunity.
ReplyDeleteI beg all that have a direct contact with him to immediately take him to a mental institutioin, pray help me drum this into his head too, "Do not let your tongue fly like flag in the face of every wind". By Imhotep.
It is only unreasonable person like FKK that will condem Fashola's apology. I guess this he goat, FKK, has personal vendata against some Igbo and he shold be advised to take it personal rather than tribalising it. If his thinking faculty is up, he would have know that there is no reason for his usual unguirded comments.
ReplyDeleteYou People Are Crazy, FFK is correct.
ReplyDeleteFFK, you have done your part,(oree yoruba soro se) oduduwa agbe e oo femi.
ReplyDeleteI think the man is dumb. When they put him on the spot again, he'd say his not a tribalistic and then provide evidence of ladies from other tribe he has pressed. And the cycle of a fool begins again.
ReplyDeleteI think he doesn't deserve our time. Just permit him to be talking to himself like a fool.
FFK...enough is enough. For someone who is Cambridge trained, you are a disappointment. First of all you have not learned from your mistakes. You are about to crash at the rate you are going. I am beginning to believe that you are a 3-in-1, tribalist, anarchist and an opportunist. You need to have yourself examined and probably checked into a psych ward. Fashola did an honorable thing. He should be commended and not chastised. He, Fashola, is that man you will never be, a true leader.
ReplyDeletePLEASE CHECK YOURSELF BEFORE YOU WRECK YOURSELF!!!
FFK has said the truth long ago. He just garnished it with an addendum. I support him 150% times. Thanks FFK for opening the cankerworm. Fashola goofed really.
ReplyDeleteIts difficult to transform an area boy even if u send him to Oxford or Harvard. FFK needs pity and forgiveness. His infantile thought pattern shows how wasteful his tenure as a Minister must have been. What sensible contribution will such mind produce?
ReplyDeleteFFK, I think u ve some things against Igbos and for that reason i don't think u ve d charisma t b d governor.@ Fahola is learned,Please is high time u rest.
ReplyDeleteThis Mad Cambridge man should be returned to mental home where he belongs. I am still wondering why this one is left to walk the street, he should be in chains. A loser like him.
ReplyDeleteFemi Fani kayode has gone mad again!. O lori buruku ni ye o
ReplyDeleteFFK i dont even kno wat 2 say 2 such a bastard like u,fuelling d embers of dispute among country men,am no igbo but a fulani man n igbo's enjoy anythin dey want to enjoy up n north.if u read d kind of words lashed on u ,u ll kno that u ve brought hate upon urself n ur family n u ll neva b a governor.
ReplyDeleteFemi,may chineke save ur soul,Nigerian Hitler.
ReplyDeletepls femi fayode, do u have wife and children? if yes, I pity them cos I wonder how they cope with u in the house. it quite a shame u say u are learned, u are just an educated illiterate. u have been disgracing urself ever since.
ReplyDeletethe yoruba person that said war awaits igbo in west, bear in mind that Igbo will defeat Yoruba when it comes to war. the entire Nigeria could not defeat igbo for 3 years apart from blockading of the food, so how do you think that only Yoruba can defeat Igbo? You want igbo to invade west.
ReplyDelete