The Lagos Governorship Obsession: Why Ibos Desperately Want Political Power in Lagos

The conversation around the Ibo obsession with political power in Lagos has exposed a deep cultural contradiction. Recently, Sam Amadi declared at an Ibo conference that Ibos have the right to run for the highest office in Lagos State. This assertion is made as though Ibo candidates have not already been participating in Lagos politics, but Ibos have contested and won some elective positions over the years. However, the actions of these elected officials have taught the Lagos electorate why they should never be allowed to win again, since they clearly do not care about the land they desperately want to govern. The standard defence for this intense ethnic political ambition is wrapped in the ideology of One Nigeria. Yet, you never hear Ibos make this grand claim about northern states and major commercial centres like Kano, Kaduna, or Sokoto. Those states are equally vital parts of Nigeria, which makes the exclusive focus on Western territory quite revealing. Furthermore, internal political dynamics within the South East show a strict rejection of Ibos from neighbouring states running for elective office. An Ebonyi man will not be allowed to be governor of Anambra State, and Imo people would not allow an Enugu man to lead them in their state. They maintain a strict system of exclusion at home, yet Ibo people travel over rivers and streams, cross multiple borders to enter Yorùbáland, and immediately begin to yell about their constitutional rights. While the legal freedom to contest exists, achieving victory requires more than relying on constitutional provisions. True governance centres on a genuine commitment to serve the local populace, which is completely missing here. This aggressive push is the product of unbridled ambition combined with a low social awareness and an underdeveloped cultural outlook. History shows that opportunities for Ibos to hold elective positions in Lagos have been available since the 1950s. Ibos have had opportunities to represent Lagos from the First Republic till now. From Nnamdi Azikiwe representing Lagos in the Western House of Assembly to the current member representing the Oshodi-Isolo Federal Constituency in Abuja, Honourable Okey-Joe Onuakalusi. Interestingly, this representative spent resources taking care of Ibos in the constituency at the expense of the indigenous people. Out of twenty-nine available slots for training abroad, twenty-four were allocated exclusively to Ibos. These are opportunities that these individuals could never secure within their own home states. This reality exposes a total lack of gratitude for the platform given. Instead of gratitude, what we get is a continuous clamour for more control. Disrespecting the host community while simultaneously demanding to lead it creates a profound political contradiction. Cursing the land and its people while hiding behind constitutional rights alienates voters completely. The electorate will completely ignore your constitutional right to run if you show open contempt for their cultural sensibilities. Ibos should go back home and treat each other with respect and grant each other political rights across their five states in the South East, after all, charity begins at home. Afterward, they can go to the North and demand the same rights from the Hausa and Fulani, since we are all part of one Nigeria. by 'Busuyi Oris #Yoruba #LagosPolitics #IboAgenda #OshodiIsolo #LagosGovernorship #NigerianPolitics #Obidients