By Adedoyin Falolu
Determined to end the soured relationship among Igbos and Yorubas in Lagos,Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu,Governor of Lagos State has met his Imo State counterpart, Hope Uzodimma, over the recent demolition of some commercial structures in Lagos.
The Lagos State government had demolished some physically distressed structures in the Alaba International Market with lot noise which made the two governors to meet and set up a committee to broker peace for them.
The peace committee is the outcome of the meeting they had on Friday to seek lasting solutions to the misunderstandings over the demolitions. In a communique issued at the end of a meeting between Lagos State Government and South East Governments, it was agreed that a peace and reconciliation committee will be empanelled to “settle and douse the increasing tension between the two vibrant groups.”
While Sanwo-Olu endorsed for Lagos State Government, Uzodimma signed for the South East. The communique further requested the suspension of further demolition at Alaba International market with a review committee “to ensure that no building that is not in contravention is demolished.”
It was further agreed that compensation will be paid for any wrong demolition in Alaba International market, while taxes, rates and demand notice levied on Igbo real estate developers will be reviewed to ensure they are not outrageously prohibitive, punitive and seemingly targeted at them.”
To ensure that such a rift does not reoccur, the communique recommended the establishment of “proper channels of communication and more robust engagement with organised Igbo leadership in Lagos as was the case during the tenures of Governors Tinubu, Fashola and Ambode, which engendered massive Igbo support for them.”
The communique acknowledged that Igbos have nothing against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Sanwo-Olu and would continue to support them.