High Chief Owolabi Salis, governorship candidate of Alliance for Democracy (AD) in Lagos, in the 2019 election has warned against marginalisation of the Igbos and others, especially the minorities.
Salis warns that such action is a potential time bomb that will cause incalculable damage to the growth of the country.
The New York-based lawyer and chartered accountant, gave this warning in a statement over the persistent agitation, of alleged marginalisation of the Igbos and other minorities.
He said the issue must be confronted once and for all in the nation’s interest, as it stands in the way of one Nigeria.
The AD politician also called on President Bola Tinubu to “restructure the country to eradicate discrimination in our political and economic life.”
Salis further stressed that no nation brushes aside the issue of marginalisation and fully realises its potentials, adding that the issue of Igbos and other minorities’ marginalisation had since continued from the 60s to the 70s till date.
“No nation pushes the issue of marginalisation under the carpet and sleeps with her two eyes closed because it is an issue that will not go away without justice.
“For there to be unity in Nigeria, we must restructure the country to eradicate discrimination in our political and economic life.
“My late Uncles, Adeniran Ogunsanya, TOS Benson, and Prof. Ayodele Awojobi who were icons in the country shared the same views against marginalisation in the 60s, 70s, and 80s politics and I still remember their words of wisdom as a young man till today.
“Thankfully, President Bola Tiunbu, an acclaimed democrat, activist, and advocate of restructuring, is now in the saddle and has the opportunity to practice what he has been preaching before now,” he stated.
Salis said the situation on the ground was on an opportunity for President Tinubu to write his name in gold by removing the hate and distrust that had been with the country “all along, through bringing about fairness, equity, and justice across board.”
“This is an opportunity for him to write his name in gold by removing the hate and distrust that has been with us all along, through bringing about fairness, equity, and justice across board.
“Thankfully, the National Assembly has told the world that it would cooperate with this president and is even proposing the creation of Orlu state to bring the South East at par with other zones.
“The same lawmakers are also proposing rotational presidency, and creating the South East Development Commission, as a way of addressing Igbo marginalisation.
“I enjoin the Ohaneze Ndigbo to show leadership in this regard by talking to the people on the need to stop the bloodletting and instead build cordial relationships among themselves and other Nigerian diverse interests,” he said.
“The Chief Iwuayanwu-led group should develop plans alongside South East governors to protect Igbo culture and heritage from being destroyed by miscreants.
“The presidential system we are operating now makes the minorities in the South-South, North Central, and North East second-class citizens, which should not be. We need to restructure beyond the parliamentary and presidential systems to create a sense of belonging to all,” he demanded.
Alleluia is the Assistant Editor and Content Writer at LagosPost.ng. She is a prolific writer and editor, she has written features and news stories on Lifestyle, Sports, Business, Politics and B2B marketing. She is also an event coordinator, host and social media content creator.
