Obasanjo
By Publisher
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Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has described his alleged Igbo paternity as laughable.
Speculations that Obasanjo’s father hailed from Anambra State have been trending for a long time.
The controversy played up during the 2023 electioneering campaigns when the former President was accused of supporting Peter Obi, the Labour Party candidate because they were Igbo kinsmen.
However, a statement by Kehinde Akinyemi, Obasanjo’s Special Assistant on Media, on Friday, put the matter to rest, quoting Obasanjo as saying: “It just makes me laugh”.
The former president made reference to his alleged Igbo roots when he received the leadership of Ndigbo Amaka Progressive Market Association, an umbrella body of major markets in Lagos State, who paid him a visit in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.
Speaking at the meeting, which was held at the boardroom of the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, OOPL, the former president said he doesn’t believe anybody in Nigeria should be driven away from any part of the country, asserting that, “we own this country together”.
Obviously referring to comments in some quarters about “Igbo Must Go”, Obasanjo added: “Having ensured that the Yoruba, Igbo and Hausa all came together to fight the war of unity in Nigeria, and “not to fight Igbo to go, but to come.
“So, if anybody says to me that somebody should leave any place, he will be the one to leave.”
He expressed delight that the leadership of Ndigbo Amaka Progressive Market Association came to seek his support for the establishment of the Owerri Central Market positioned to be the best of its kind in the country.
He noted that the idea of the market had been on the cards since the creation of Imo state, but “for one reason or the other, it has not been implemented.”
“I am glad it is coming up again and I hope this time, we are all going to make it real. It is going to be big, the first of its kind,” he added.
“And, I am also happy that the governor is showing the desired interest and understanding. And, I am confident that the Owerri Central Market will be, as he expressed the desire to lead the marketing team for the market.”
Chief Emeka Dallas Emmanuel, the group’s spokesperson, who read a letter jointly signed by Comrade Chinedu Ukatu and Evangelist Iwuchukwu Ezenwafor, said the market would be a hub for innovation and entrepreneurship, and
sought Obasanjo’s support towards its realisation.
