The Chairman of South-east Governors’ Forum and Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodinma, along with the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, and leading Igbo businessmen, yesterday held a meeting with the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, that resolved the conflicts generated by the demolition of buildings in the Alaba International Market, Lagos. 

The Imo State Commissioner for Information, Mr. Declan Emelumba, confirmed to THISDAY yesterday that the meeting, which was attended by large number of Igbo businessmen in Lagos State, amicably settled all differences that led to the demolition of market stalls and reassured the Igbos that they are free to go about their legitimate businesses in Lagos without any fear. 

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The meeting, which took place in Government House, Alausa, Ikeja, also resolved the rancor that trailed the outcome of 2023 general elections that brought bad blood in the relationship between the Igbos and their Yoruba neighbours in Lagos State.

The yesterday’s meeting with the governor of Lagos State, was a follow up to a crucial private conversation Uzodinma, Kalu and the Governor of Enugu State, Mr. Peter Mbah, held with select businessmen from the South-east on Thursday’s night in Ikoyi, Lagos, to evaluate current events in the country as they affect Igbo people and to seek ways to propagate the shared interests of the Igbos in Lagos State.

Governor Uzodinma had pledged to Igbo businesspeople during Thursday’s meeting that he would find immediate solution to the conflict between the Lagos State Government and Igbo community within 24 hours.

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Some of the Igbo leaders that participated in the private conversation on Thursday were the former President of Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, Mr. Sam Ohuabunwa; retired Major General Umahi; the President of Ohanaeze in Lagos State, Mr. Sunday Osai; a member of Igbo Intelligentsia and Nzuko Umunna, Mr.. Chris Maduka and the Chairman of Alaba Amalgamated Traders Association.

Uzodinma said, “Appoint between 15 and 20 persons to go with me and sit with the governor of Lagos State to resolve this matter on Friday before I will return to Abuja.” 

Ohuabunwa, who was among the delegates that met with Governor Sanwo-Olu, told THISDAY yesterday’s night that the Lagos State Government agreed to set up a technical committee that would revisit the demolitions in the Alaba Market to establish that only the buildings blocking canal (waterway) were demolished.

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He said: “The Lagos State Government also said that there was no targeting of Igbos in the state but assured that the state government is out to ensure that all those who live and work in the state will do their business in a safe environment and without any let or hindrance as long as they keep to the law.”

He also described the meeting with the governor of Lagos State as a fence mending meeting that was very reassuring. “It was a meeting that achieved so much beyond the demolition and brought some reassurance and healing to any grievances or misunderstanding emanating from the election.

“It was more or less a healing and conciliatory meeting. The two governors of Lagos and Imo states were happy and everybody was in a good mood that we have nipped in bud any potential danger or flashpoint that could have caused further deterioration. The outcome of the meeting was worth all the trouble,” Ohuabunwa said.

THIS DAY