Jandor Assures Igbos of Safety, Inclusion in Lagos, Says State Remains Hospitable to All Non-Yoruba Residents
The Lead Visioner of the Lagos4Lagos Movement and prominent All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, Olajide Adediran, popularly known as Jandor, has reaffirmed that Lagos State remains welcoming and accommodating to all ethnic groups, particularly the Igbo community.
Jandor made the remarks on Tuesday while hosting Igbo leaders at his office in Ikeja.
He dismissed claims that the state government harbours hostility toward South Easterners, insisting that Lagos has historically demonstrated inclusiveness and tolerance toward non-indigenes.
According to him, “The people and government of Lagos State do not hate the Igbos. Forget what happened during the heat of political contests — we were all pursuing something then. Let me remind you that Lagos has always been a hospitable state. What you may not easily get in many states, you freely enjoy here.”
He cited several examples of the state’s openness, noting that Lagos has consistently allowed non-indigenes to thrive.
“We sell our lands to you, which is proof of our hospitality. Lagos was the first state to appoint non-indigenes into its cabinet. Even if you had issues with the then governor, now President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, it doesn’t erase the fact that he set the standard for inclusion that other states are now emulating. For instance, Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu and the Governor of Imo State have Yoruba members in their cabinets — it all began here,” he said.
Jandor urged the Igbo community not to let divisive elements exploit ethnic sentiments for personal gain, stressing that government policies and enforcement of laws are not targeted at any tribe.
“If some individuals violate building regulations or encroach on government land, the enforcement is not about ethnicity. The office of Ola of Lagos, a Yoruba man, was demolished because it was built under power lines. The same laws apply to everyone. Even at the Trade Fair complex, only structures that contravened the law were affected. We must understand that this is about maintaining order, not discrimination,” he explained.
He added that Lagos remains a model of unity and coexistence.
“It’s only in Lagos that someone who isn’t an indigene has been made a local government chairman. If we disliked you, we wouldn’t admit your children into our schools or employ your people as teachers and civil servants. We want you to see Lagos as home and continue to live peacefully with everyone,” Jandor emphasized.
In his response, the President General of the Ndigbo in Lagos, Chief Sunday Udeh, commended Jandor’s message of peace and unity. He stated that the Igbo community in Lagos has always cooperated with the government and remains non-partisan.
“I’ve been with the progressives from the days of the Alliance for Democracy (AD) to the APC. Igbos have always worked hand in hand with the Yorubas. During the administrations of the late Alhaji Lateef Jakande and Sir Michael Otedola, we collaborated for the progress of Lagos. I also appreciate President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for giving an Igbo man the opportunity to serve as Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning when he was governor. Our people are industrious, law-abiding, and committed to the prosperity of this state,” Udeh said.
He assured that Jandor’s message would be communicated to Igbo communities across Lagos, stressing that unity and peaceful coexistence remain the foundation of development in the state.
