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Igbos Deportation Apology: Femi Fani Kayode Accused Governor Fashola Of Double Standard
Sept 28, 2013 – Femi Fani Kayode Accused Governor Fashola Of Double Standard For Apologizing Over Igbos Deportation
“Don’t Apologise For Government Policy”
On Thursday the 26th of September, 2013, the current governor of Lagos State Nigeria, Mr Babatunde Raji Fashola apologised to the Igbo people for deporting destitutes to Onitsha and Anambra States on July 24, 2013.
Human right activist and a fellow SAN, Chief Femi Fani Kayode claims Fashola played double standard for apologising to the igbos alone.
Read his new article below;
There can be little doubt that the relocation of the 19 igbo destitutes from Lagos state a few months ago was a lawful exercise and that it was done in the interest of Lagos state. Consequently I do not believe that Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola ought to have tendered any form of apology whatsoever to the igbo for what he did. The only redeeming factor is the fact that the apology was obviously designed simply to calm frayed nerves and I commend Fashola for that gesture if nothing else. I say this because my understanding is that he apologised NOT for the deportation itself but for ”the misunderstanding that arose from it”. There is a world of difference between the two.
I also commend him for admonishing the igbo to develop their own region and to decide whether they are ”igbo before they are Nigerians or Nigerians before they are igbo”. This is a fundamental question that I believe that we must all determine in our hearts and minds whether we are of igbo, yoruba, hausa/fulani or ijaw stock or anything else.
For the purposes of clarification the debate that has been raging in the land for the last two months, though sparked off by Fashola’s relocations, was more about the curious claim that Lagos state was ”no man’s land” which the igbo jointly own with the yoruba and which they had developed, and are indeed still developing, with their money and nothing else. It was that assertion, and not the plight of a handful of igbo destitues, that many of us from west of the River Niger took issue with. Fashola and others have said publiclly that it is ”absurd” and ”insulting” for anyone to call Lagos state ”no-man’s land” and that is good enough for me. As long as he did not apologise for saying that I have no problem with whatever he may or may not have said about the deportations even though, had I been governor, I would have handled it differently.
The truth is that the yoruba way is to apologise not only when you are wrong but also when you are right if you believe that the other party has been badly hurt by your actions. It is a generous and kind disposition which is borne out of the yoruba concept of the ”omoluwabi spirit”- a good heart and a clean spirit that desires, above all else, peace, joy and harmony. Yet to those from outside yorubaland that do not share that disposition, that do not understand that spirit and that cannot even begin to comprehend it, an apology is nothing less than an admission of guilt and wrong- doing and a trophy of triumph to those whom it is offered.
It is for this reason that I believe that it was wrong for Fashola to apologise and that it is important for us to consider the long term implications of what he has done. The truth is that in life perception counts for everything. And rightly or wrongly the perception that most people have, particularly amongst the igbo, is that Fashola has indeed apologised for the deportations. This perception is supported by misleading newspaper headlines which were drafted and written by journalists who did not bother to read the text or properly decipher the statement.
Whether anyone likes it or not this latest development is viewed as a great triumph for the hardline igbo nationalists and the Governor Peter Obi’s of this world who honestly believe that the igbo have some kind of special rights or special status in Lagos and indeed in yorubaland. They say and do things in Lagos and other parts of the west that they dare not do in the north and that they will never allow our people to do in the east.This is because they fear the northerners who have often put them in their place when they cross the line but they have nothing but contempt for us. Fashola has now given those within the igbo community that have this mindset far more legitimacy, strength and confidence.
In any case now that dishing out apologies is the order of the day and he has set the precedent, the question has to be asked- will Peter Obi take a cue from that, be a gentleman and apologise for deporting the people of Akwa Ibom from his Anambra state as well? Is Obi that reasonable or charitable? Do those that think like him believe trhat what is good for the goose is good for the gander? I doubt it very much. Again will Fashola apologise to the numerous northerners that he deported from Lagos as well and will he apologise to his yoruba kith and kin from Oyo and Osun for deporting them too? I really do wonder how far this new-found large-heartedness and seasonal expression of regrets will go? Will it be spread everywhere or is it exclusively reserved for the igbo?
More importantly, in the spirit of this new rapprochement, will Fashola secretly conceede portions of Lagos state and yorubaland to them as well? Will he take my dear egbon and former cabinet colleague, Senator Adeseye Ogunlewe’s counsel, and wholeheartedly accept the interesting notion that the igbo have ”married all our daughters” in idungaran and isale-eko and that we should therefore give all our land and territory to them? Will he give up the patrimony of his people all in the name of trying to appease the igbo and get their votes for the APC in the upcoming governorship election in Anambra state? If that is the plan I doubt that it will work because they are a pretty unforgiving lot. The more you give the more they will ask for and at the end of the day you will end up losing far more than you gain.
Governor Chris Ngige, who is an amiable gentleman and one of the most decent, accomodating, liberal, detribalised and civilised people that I know from the east, will gain nothing from this and sadly the person that will gain from it will be the hardline, igbocentric Peter Obi and his APGA candidate in november’s gubernatorial election in Anambra state. People like Fashola need to undersatand that sometimes in trying to play the generous statesman and the kind-hearted omoluwabi we end up being taken for granted and making fools of ourselves. You only apologise to those who will appreciate it, who do not necessarily see it as an admission of guilt and who will not misconstrue it as weakness. This is because the display of weakness by any leader, no matter how well-liked, only attracts impudence and aggression from those who have a hidden agenda. A word is enough for the wise.
If I were Governor of Lagos state I would never have apologised for the execution of a legitimate and lawful exercise which was absolutely necessary and which was done in the interests of my state and my people, no matter how many cows I had been offered or given by the kinsmen of those affected. What Fashola has done, albeit inadvertently, is to betray those amongst his yoruba kith and kin that stood by him and defended him when he took that historic and controversial decision to deport the igbo destitutes. He has also fuelled the erroneous impression that is held by most of the igbo that the yoruba people and their leaders are bumbling and inconsistent cowards that cannot stand firm when put under pressure and when faced with threats and hardship.
This is sad and unfortunate because that is not who or what we are. Though we cherish and often manifest the omoluwabi spirit, the yoruba are also a lion-hearted people- we are slow to anger but irresistable in battle. We are as constant as the northern star even though we are accomodating and generous. I have immense respect for Fashola and I happen to have a spoft spot for him but I believe that his behaviour is a clear u-turn and that it represents a double standard, a capitulation of values and a revocation of principle. You don’t apologise for government policy just to appease a certain group of people no matter how bellicose, violent, loud and aggressive they may be. It is better to lose a million elections outside yorubaland than to conceed even one inch of yoruba territory to those that seek to lay claim to that which is not theirs. A word is enough for the wise.
Buchan
September 28, 2013 at 1:24 AM
finally fashola has bowed to pressures from Lagos big wigs… double standard indeed. Is he trying to run for office?
Adeola
September 28, 2013 at 1:28 AM
I can’t blame Fashola, he is trying to appease his igbo masters mumu governor
iron bar
September 28, 2013 at 1:59 AM
apologies not accepted …his eyes are now clearing up.yeye de smell
red
September 28, 2013 at 5:10 AM
Apology ? hmm , how? in person or writing material which can be tear after few seconds.those people were pushed back to back some actually lost their life in d so called whatever u paint it to be.Am no spoke person for them or thrown out from ur state which is not ur personally bedroom,But I do feel their pain and what they went through.Not only that both of u looking at me through my iPad right now deserves chapters and verse in d bible very close to Judas.come up with a better and heart warming plan., just place yourself in their position,if u are human in God’s image u will know what to do.
Obuonu
September 28, 2013 at 5:20 AM
@red i actually find ur comment very intelligent. Fashola’s apology is coming too late. Let him go and bring those he deported back and establish them then we’ll hear his apology
don
September 28, 2013 at 7:15 AM
Ffk u were busy wagging ur mouth saying all sorts things about the ibos tinking BRF will giv u an award, u see urself? now fashola has appologied to the ibos.Shame on u ffk.
Cynthia
September 28, 2013 at 7:36 AM
Ffk must open his gutter mouth on every issues, a man with no control over his mouth,
Shame!
bezo
September 28, 2013 at 8:22 AM
This Red and obuonu is just a fool, what fashola did is nothing but the best, have u ever been to lagos b/4 I guess no, bcoz the both are just commenting like villagers, lagos was just too full with destitute, and they are 89% from eastern, so he have no choice, he even tried when he apologise that means he is a very good man, Eko orin baje oooo, destitute non go spoil lagos ooooo
Hon Hamzat
September 28, 2013 at 8:48 AM
Mr Fashola pls dnt let d igbos tak us 4 granted, wot dey are doing in South west i swear dem no born my papa well mk i try d 1/4 for East….well 9vadless Mr kayode don talk say d “Omoluabi spirit” de our body….
Ruth
September 28, 2013 at 9:13 AM
Mr “I must talk for every matter FFK”,too much talk will cause you ridicule yourself so much that you will loose the small remaining respect some people still have for you! U be Turkey? Abi u no know say talking tooooooo much makes you lie a lot,loose respect,confuse yourself and some etc….. “Silence is golden”…….. No be every matter people must hear your opinion,sometimes keep your opinion for inside your pocket!
Idi
September 28, 2013 at 9:57 AM
Fellow Nigerians, for Baba Fashola to tender any form of apology, it shows that he is sorry for what occurred, either intentionally on not, and it shows oneness in our dear country. We have been dwelling in peace and harmony in Lagos, so let us allow that peace to keep reigning.
Fabulous
September 28, 2013 at 9:58 AM
Wetin b dis fani’s own self? Y do u have so much hatred for d igbos. If they shuld leave lagos state for u will u b able to survive alone? Afterall u are not even from lagos state n ur busy taking paracetamol ova someone elses headache. Whether u like it or not,d igbos have come to stay n there is notin anyone can do about it not even u. U keep talking of killings n d northers,do u think d igbos are afraid of d northers? They are only keeping calm for d peace of d nation. Wat concerns u if fashola apologies? Y did u tender ur own apology wen ur wife n daughters were attacked? I thought u are a brave man. Pls stop seeking for political approval wit all dis ur nonsense write-ups. U’re only creating more enemies for urself n ur generation. Make u go find sometin else do abeg.
sharton
September 28, 2013 at 10:30 AM
nice talk my people, fashola actions was really bad we are all one body one soul and above all created by one God which remain same 4ever fashola stop this nonsense u call apology i’m not an igbo woman but we are all one so let’s unite.
Dasaia
September 28, 2013 at 10:38 AM
this kayode of a thing is just a mad man where ever we d igbo are we always improve not only our self but also d economy city at large, one can easily atest to dat by example of ndigbo contributions to lagos state economy, go to sea ports in lagos and see ventures rating in bilions of dollars all by ndi igbo, but i tel u kayode or whotsoeva u col ur name u can stil see many igbo merchants in lagos just bcos we hav’nt had our own sea port in d east once we hav it we il go back to east yeye man
Emeka Don Ibe
September 28, 2013 at 11:01 AM
I think Fashola has done what a man with conscience should do.He quite knows the might of the IGBOS and their contribution to the development of Lagos state.Your humble apology is accepted! For the bigoted idiot Femi Kayode,he is like a leaf in a dirty ponds of water waiting to be drowned by the torrent sea surge.
Tpn
September 28, 2013 at 11:31 AM
I wish i could see this kayode, i would k**l him with my bare hands
Gideon
September 28, 2013 at 1:58 PM
Man i wonder where U derive such law, according to 1999 constitution every Nigerian has de full right to stay in any state within Nigeria as long he/she want and even own any immovable property. U seem to be learned but U are illiterate-graduate in Ur reasoning. Mumu ode !!!
chidi
September 28, 2013 at 3:37 PM
what’s with this singling out the Igbos by that ethnocentric bigot caused Femi Kayode! Getting suicidal over the prudent move made by the most revered Governor, Fashiola to apologise! Sometimes I wonder what Kayode really want to achieve with this his” planting seed of rancour between the Igbos and the Yorubas “crusade!The entire Igbos should not be hated for an action taken by Nzeogu and other juntas donkeys years ago!Kayode or whatever u call urself,stop this ur imbecilic and juvenile comments against the Igbos! U’ve made ur stupidity public enough!
steve
September 28, 2013 at 4:21 PM
Guy you correct die! No mind the coward, first he abused our Bianca now the whole igbo. What pains me is that he will run away like a whip dog when he finally get what he wants.
Taiwo
September 28, 2013 at 5:00 PM
I don’t know why some of dis igbo people are fools to this level? What Fashola did was to let the poeple that misunderstand him know the omoluabi attribute in him as a devoted muslim. U poeple do not hav sense at all, he said ur area is not develop becouse of ur uncivilised attitude. I commend u our able son Femi Fani kayode.
chidi
September 28, 2013 at 8:52 PM
Taiwan,i’ld have chosen to ignore ur ignorant and myopic ass,but on a second thought,if not corrected.now,u might end even more stupid than Kayode !Lagos became relatively more developed when it was made FCT! Hence,it was developed by our collective taxes!Beside that,it would have still been like every other state!So get that into ur empty skull,dumb ass!
Charles Luke
September 29, 2013 at 12:31 AM
Tuwo or taiwo dirty Yoruba smelling amala, your father, mother and your community civilize reach ibo man?, anyway i blame the ibos around una because Yoruba na the worst betrayals in the history of Nigeria,natural hatred i get for Yoruba people, make una dey careful any thing can happen at any time
igbo
September 30, 2013 at 10:25 PM
U had the guts to call a strong and unrelenting nation such as the igbos a fool! How many time have u played the role. Tribalism, insignificant differences, hatred, envy all this to what benefits? compare nigeria to other countries then you will see how unfortunate u a common man becomes and u call me a fool. You are a disgrace and an embarrassment if dis is all u are about. BUSY MODE REACTIVATED!
spoT 1
September 28, 2013 at 5:43 PM
TRIBALISM, TRIBALISM. WHAT TO DO? IN A COUNTRY WHERE PEOPLE PRIDE THEMSELVES ON BEING EDUCATED? IT IS SCARRY THIS KIND OF THING COULD HAPPEN. THIS WHOLE INCIDENT IS A CLEAR INDICATION OF OUR BACKWARDNESS. WHAT GIVES ANYONE THE RIGHT TO DEPORT A CITIZEN FROM ANY PART OF HIS OWN COUNTRY? IT IS CRIMINAL IN TERMS OF UNIVERSAL COMMON LAW. WE HAVE 2 CHOICES, A.ONE NIGERIA OR DIFFERENT STATES?? FOR AS LONG AS THE FORMER IS THE CASE, THIS WHOLE INCIDENT IS CRIMINAL AND A HUMAN RIGHT VIOLATION. KAYODE YOU ARE AN INSIGNIFICANT BUFFON THAT NEEDS TO BE SENTENCED TO DEATH. IF YOU CONCUR WITH KAYODE? A THOUSAND PLAGUES ON YOU FAMILY LINEAGE!!!!
Nma
September 28, 2013 at 8:17 PM
Why is it that, in every issue, this idiot called fani kayode will put his dirty mouth, does it mean that he has no self control, can’t the wife advice him, why should he kept on disgracing and reducing himself to nothing. He has actually prove that he is a boy with poor reasoning. Pls the wife, I urge u, help him reserve some diginity, u can control him, although I know he has no regard for women but u can try your best.
Goldtym
September 28, 2013 at 8:59 PM
Pls i bring u fools of d 21st century,ppl dat ar jst nt worthy of freedom,dy dnt really no d constitution,dy jst always wana show dem selves; i min, hamzat,taiwo,bezo n above al d so calld kayode. Dy ar al “indi ara” n gov. Fashola u don 4all my hand…
nelly
September 29, 2013 at 7:14 AM
Must FFK open his mouth to every issue. He’s just tryn 2 get cheap political consideration. I hv totally lost d respect I hv for d fool. Always talkn like a woman
mrs ohio alias mrs ERANKO
September 29, 2013 at 10:54 AM
I THINK IS IS A GOOD IDEA THAT FASHOLA APOLOGIZE TO IGBO PEOPLE, IT SHOWS HE IS SOMEONE WHO FEEL SOMEONE ELSE PAIN , WHAT HE DID TO IGBO IS GOOD IN A WAY , BECAUSE FASHOLA REALISED THAT EKO IS A PLACE OF BREAD , IT IS A PLACE OF BUSINESS ,AND IT IS NOT FOR THOSE WHO HAVE NOT GOT BRAIN TO HUSSLE ,
SO, THESE PEOPLE HAVE KNO BRAIN TO HUSSLE OTHER THAN STEALING AND BEGING AND WEAR RAG ,AND SLEEP ABOUT UNDER THE BRIDGE , THEY HAVE NO HOME , WHY SUFFER YOURSELF WHEN YOU CAN EASILY LIVE A RENT FREE IN YOUR VILLAGE ,
SO THIS IS THE REASON WHY FASHOLA SEND THEM BACK , AND HE IS SORRY TO DO THAT , THESE PEOPLE CAN COME BACK TO MY LAGOS WHEN THEY KNOW HOW TO THINK OF HOW WE LAGOSIAN THINK LIKE GOD, AND WE KNOWS FASHION ,
LAGOS IS NOT FOR RAG PEOPLE , WE DO NOT WANT AKISA , WE DO NOT WANT PEOPLE WHOSE THEIR MENTALITY BASED ON , CLAPING THEIR HAND ALL THE TIME AND STARE AT THE SKY . AS IF GOD IS THE ONE WHO WILL HELP THEM FRY THEIR EGG WHEN THEY ARE HUNGRY.PEOPLE WHO WANT SOMETHING FOR NOTHING
WE WANT OUR LAGOS TO CLEAN FREE FROM LAZY PEOPLE , IGBO PEOPLE ARE VERY INDUSTRIOUS , AND I LOVE THEM BECAUSE THEY ARE MY BUSINESS PARTNERS ,
BUT THERE ARE SOME, WHO JUST HAVE THAT MENTALITY THAT GOD IS THE ONE WHO SHOULD WIPE THEIR ASS WHEN THEY GO TO TOILET , I GREET YOU IN IGBO, KEDU MAAKA, UNA NWANYEN , LA M IRE
USMAN BAYERO
September 30, 2013 at 2:30 AM
Please! Fani Kayode is not a human right activist. When did he became a human right activist? This writer is missing it.
For Gov. Fashola and the likes of Fani boy, Lagos is no man’s land.
It is developed by both the hausa, ibos and many other tribes. For anybody to claim it is for the yorubas is trying to lay claim to the wind.
For the umpteenth time, nobody get Lagos. History even tells us that the fist king of Lagos is from the Benin Kingdom.
I challenge all of u claiming yorubas own Lagos.
Fashola is only apologizing because he knows that what he did was wrong and that the ibos will deal with his party in the coming Anambra election.
jo
September 30, 2013 at 9:04 AM
kayode is just a fool,how many investments did u ve in lagos? and is ur fathers land.u re just jealous of igbos bt there’s noting u can do about it,u fool.
obi etieti
September 30, 2013 at 9:02 PM
femi kayode or wht ever he calls him self. is an idiot. look at his head like monkey.yoruba people is the most dirtiest and laziest people on earth. cowards and betrayals. fools by making their selves second to hausas. we the igbos , we remain your superiors for ever. weather you like it or not. God has made it to be soo. Jews dont take last ok. and for femi, he has to be careful, he is playing with fire. igbos dont talk much but actions.
Tunde
October 1, 2013 at 11:04 AM
Am a yoruba man from ondo. what obi etieti said about we yorubas is nothing but the truth. why we yorubas are cowards? and see our selves as second to hausas. i need an anwser from any yoruba leader.
funke
October 1, 2013 at 11:07 AM
you are crazy tunde. you are a disgrace to yoruba.
kola
October 1, 2013 at 11:13 AM
Femi kayode is a disgrace to yoruba people. igbos are far better than we yorubas. igbos i respect you people ok. u ar Godly people and industrios .
Jerome Okoro
October 17, 2013 at 1:23 PM
Pls get it right that Femi Fani-Kayode is NOT and was NEVER a SAN.His father, Remi was a SAN by going to court; but the Femi, though he studied law, does not know the road to the court. Neither does he belong to the academia who become SANs by their law publications.SAN is merited, not inherited and it is not merited by senseless rabble rousing. It must be Femi in his usual style of a charlatan that sold this lie to the ignorant press who must be too lazy to investigate. He is not a SAN; so stop embarassing our reverred SANs by joining this fellow to their hard-earned rank and honor
Ighadalo
October 17, 2013 at 1:41 PM
@ jerome Okoro, get your fact right, Femi Fani Kayode is a SAN.
From the tone of your comment, you must be one brainless fool from nowhere trying to put down the man.
Shut up ur f**king mouth. Fani Kayode is a SAN.
Why are some people jealous of his achievement?
I’m an Igbo based in Ibadan for your information