By Tochukwu Ezukanma
There is a preponderant representation of the Igbo in the ever
burgeoning population of Lagos State. Secondly, the immense economic
power of Ndigbo in Lagos is awesomely evident. One of our major concerns
has been how to translate our enormous population and colossal economic
power to commensurate political power in this heterogeneous state with
its divergent and contending interests. Refreshingly, we have been quite
successful in channeling our massive population and economic clout to
political power in Lagos. More than any other Igbo, Joe Igbokwe has
spearheaded the effort to make Ndigbo relevant in the politics of Lagos
State.
In the words of a former President of Auto Spare Parts And Machine
Dealers Association (ASPAMDA), Chief Anthony Ughagwu, “He is a very
important and powerful personality in the government of the state. He is
very close to the governor and other leaders of the party and
government”. Igbokwe was therefore right when he described himself as
“the gateway between Ndigbo in Lagos and the state government”. And,
in his own words, “You cannot be in government and not deliver to your
people”. Undoubtedly, he has delivered to Ndigbo in Lagos State. His
tireless labor to advance our political, economic, and sometimes,
humanitarian interests in the state has yielded copious dividend.
Although, for the most part, the Igbo hitched their political stars with
the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Igbokwe made it possible for Ndigbo
to benefit significantly from the All Progressive Congress (APC)
governments of Lagos State. On the average, every five minutes, he
receives a call from an Igbo in Lagos seeking his help in resolving a
problem. Readily, routinely, he delves into these problems and delivers
the needed results. These are in areas that include land (Omonile, C of
O, etc), government regulations, LASTMA, police, court, jobs, education,
financial help and moral support.
For example, at the Agric Building Materials Market in Coker, Orile,
Lagos, the traders’ association had a long-running conflict with the
Apapa/Iganmu Local Council Development Area (LCDA) government. There
were a number of contending issues (price of trade permits, sanitation
and environment and the politics of Iya Loja and Papa Loja) between the
traders’ association and the LCDA government. The government was
threatening to seal off the market until the conflicts were resolved.
Frightened by the prospect of closing down this predominantly Igbo
market, with its more than 3000 traders and hundreds of ancillary
artisans and laborers, the then President of the Agric Building Material
Market Association, Ebere Ifemeje, reached out to Joe Igbokwe; and
Igbokwe intervened.
Igbokwe led the leaders of the association to a meeting with the
chairman of the LCDA, and the matter was immediately resolved. Ebere
Ifemeje was lyrical as he described the meeting. He said: the executive
members of the association and I were going to the meeting somewhat
nervous and apprehensive, not knowing what to expect from it. However,
as we walked in, Igbokwe’s presence made all the difference. In
deference to him, the LCDA chairman, who repeatedly referred to him as
“my leader”, literally yielded the floor to him. And the meeting
went from what I had expected to be a protracted, almost intractable
negotiation to the chairman agreeing to all our demands. The trade
permit hike was rescinded and the plan to bring in Iya Loja and Papa
Loja into the market was shelved.
The Auto Spare Part And Machine Dealers Association (ASPAMDA) market is
a magnificent fixture at the Trade Fair Complex. This massive, sprawling
multi-edifice is a powerful testament to Igbo entrepreneurial spirit and
hard-edge work ethics. It was originally built by Igbo auto parts
dealers that relocated from Idumota. Presently, it has grown into one of
the biggest auto parts markets in Africa. The traders in this
international market chose three distinguished Igbo sons as their
patrons: Senator Ifeanyi Uba, His Excellency, Peter Obi, and Joe
Igbokwe.
Why was Joe Igbokwe chosen as one of their patrons? Chief Anthony
Ughagwu enthused, “With his pivotal position in the government of
Lagos, and his willingness to serve Ndigbo, we have regularly called on
him whenever we needed the assistance of the state government. Secondly,
he is a peace builder. He steps in and restores peace whenever, wherever
the Igbo are having problems in the state.” At a point, the entire
ASPAMDA was in crisis. Trouble was brewing everywhere. Embroiled in a
series of conflicts, people were suing and counter-suing; there were
many cases pending in court. Igbokwe came in and used the influence of
the state government to restored peace. He encouraged the litigants to
withdraw their cases from court, and many of the cases were settled out
of court. His involvement brought peace to ASPAMDA. “With these”,
Ughagwu said, “He earned my respect and the respect of the entire
leadership of ASPAMDA. So, we made him our patron”.
Another ASPAMDA leader that prefers anonymity, said, “Igbokwe is a
servant-leader. With his time, position and resources, he has been
serving the Igbo in the state. No matter the problem or the complainant,
he steps in to help, and most of the time, he facilitates a just and
equitable settlement”. A litany of Igbokwe’s contributions to the
advancement of the good of the Igbo in Lagos is beyond the scope of this
article. However, the point is that his alternative political
affiliation, coupled with his commitment to the service his people have
been most advantageous for Ndigbo in Lagos, and by extension, Ndigbo in
general.
Ironically, he has been a target of unremitting insults from some Igbo
groups, especially, the separatist Igbo movements. In their
narrow-mindedness, these groups see alternative political views as
“disloyalty”, political bridge-building as “sabotage”, and
political compromise as “selling out”. But then, differences in
political views are the essence of democracy, and bridge-building and
compromise are indispensible ingredients for success in politics,
especially, in a multifarious country like ours.
With his broadmindedness and uncanny ability to strike that even balance
that respects the delicate sensibilities of the Yoruba and accommodates
the barging industriousness of the Igbo, Igbokwe brought increased
opportunities, and open up new political vistas, for Ndigbo in Lagos
State. In his own words, “You cannot be in government and not
deliver…” In line with this declaration of his, he unquestionably
delivered to the Igbo. For this, the Igbo are saying kudos to Joe
Igbokwe.
Tochukwu Ezukanma writes from Lagos, Nigeria
0803 529 2908