Chief Bode George, a prominent member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and a Lagos indigene, has strongly criticized recent calls for Igbo people to leave Lagos, describing them as “arrant nonsense” and “sheer stupidity.”

In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Lagos, George expressed his disapproval of the campaign, which he dismissed as baseless. “It is nonsense. I say it is arrant nonsense. Why should we be saying that the Igbo people should leave?” he stated emphatically.

George, who was speaking during an interactive session on the State of the Nation at his office in Ikoyi, argued that such sentiments are not reflective of Lagos’ inclusive culture. “In Lagos, we welcome traders. Bring your wares, we look at it, we buy it, you make your money, we give you land to build. That is the culture of Lagos,” he noted.

He also criticized those advocating for the removal of Igbo people from Lagos, suggesting that they are not true Lagosians but outsiders from neighboring states. “Those who are proposing this nonsense have no bearing, no family connection to Lagos,” George added.

Reflecting on historical ties, George recalled that Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, a prominent Igbo leader and Nigeria’s first President, was closely connected to Lagos through his association with Sir Herbert Macaulay. He emphasized the long-standing contributions of the Igbo community to Lagos, stating, “Lagos State was created in 1967. Since that time to now, the Igbo have had their contributions.”

George’s comments come amid recent social media campaigns, particularly in the context of the #EndBadGovernmentInNigeria nationwide protest, which have called for Igbo people to leave Lagos. President Bola Tinubu has also responded to these calls, condemning the ethnic sentiments and affirming that Nigeria has no place for such divisive rhetoric.