A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State, Joe Igbokwe, has appealed to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State to wade into serial complaints about demolition of Igbo-owned property in the state.

Igbokwe made the appeal in a Facebook post on Wednesday.

The former Special Adviser to the Governor on Drainage and Water Resources, disclosed that he is inundated with hundreds of calls from Igbo people in the state daily about the spate of demolition of their property.

Igbokwe noted that as the “leader of Ndigbo in APC Lagos”, he felt compelled to appeal to the governor to wade into the matter.

According to him, Igbo people have contributed immensely to the development of Lagos dating back to decades and their welfare must be assured by the state government.

He said, “Hundreds of Igbo in Lagos have called me hours on end to complain of losing their houses. I am besieged everyday on this matter.

“As the leader of Ndigbo in APC Lagos I am appealing to my leader, my principal HE Governor Sanwolu to look into the matter and find an amicable solution to the problem.

“Igbo live in Lagos in their numbers. They are a strong force in the massive growth of Lagos.

“Having been in Lagos for over 40 years I know their humongous investment of Igbo in Lagos.

“These are all there fore all eyes to see. It is not hidden. We are all Nigerians irrespective of your tribe.

“Phone calls I receive everyday across Lagos is choking me to the marrows. I hope Governor Sanwo Olu will look into this matter and find a way to put this matter to rest.

I am besieged. I am tired. I am exhausted. I am choked up. I am diminished. I am weak. I am under pressure everyday.

“I want a solution to this serious matter. I want bridges of understanding. I want bridges of mutual relationship. I want peaceful peace in Lagos. I want a new deal with Igbo and the Yorubas in Lagos.”

Igbokwe also urged Igbo people in Lagos to observe due diligence when acquiring property in the state to avoid demolition.

He said, “This is my advice to Igbo Community in Lagos.

“If you want to buy land in Lagos please do some due diligence. Get a lawyer to do a search for you in the Ministry of Lands in Alausa to know if the land is for sale or is reserved for other purposes.

“If possible, go and buy old houses, pull it down and rebuild. I am speaking from experience.” (The Sun)

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