The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State has warned Igbo traders against fanning the embers of ethnicity.
This followed the bad blood generated by the relocation of traders from the demolished Owonifari Market in Oshodi to Iso Pakodowo Market.
In a statement by his spokesman, Joe Igbokwe, the APC described as a wrong assumption that the government’s decision was a declaration of war on Igbo traders as punishment for their opposition to the APC during the last general elections.
The party described as defeatist and self-persecution for some pro-Igbo groups to conclude that their members are not wanted in certain parts of the country.
The statement reads: “Ohaneze Ndigbo in Lagos at a briefing alleged that Igbo traders are being intimidated by the Lagos State government as a result of the fallout of the 2015 elections.
“Before you know it, other Igbo groups went to town with their defeatism attitude.
“Former Governor Babatunde Fashola had planned to evacuate the market right inside the Oshodi Round-About loop since 2007 when he came into office. The location of that market was an eyesore.”
The statement said a committee that was set up to plan the relocation in 2007 was frustrated by politics, mistrust, blackmail and ethnicity.
The statement added that members of the committee, including former Commissioner for Economic Planning & Budget Ben Akabueze, Igbokwe, market leaders and other stakeholders held several meetings before they were stopped by the former governor, who forged ahead to secure Iso Pakodowo Market, now called Oshodi Resettlement Market.
According to the party, the plan to relocate the market has been on the front burner u in the last eight years.
The party urged those earning their meal tickets in Centre of Excellence to support the government in its efforts to change the face of the nation’s commercial hub.
“We must be wise enough to know when to shift ground for the good of the commonwealth.
“Defeatism attitude and persecution complex is not the way to go at a time like this,” it said.