The Chief Executive Officer of Equity Concepts Limited, Rowland Okorie, has urged the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, to adopt a more democratic approach.
Democracy, as commonly understood, entails a government that is established by the people, run by the people, and serves the people, regardless of their tribal, religious, and cultural backgrounds. However, it appears that the Speaker’s actions contradict these principles.
In his submission, Rowland said: “Someone should remind Obasa that we are in 2023 not slavery era. It has never been recorded in history where an Igbo man would be claiming ownership of Lagos.”
“Obasa stated this in his acceptance speech as a third-term speaker of the Lagos parliament and the inauguration of the 10th Lagos Assembly on Tuesday that Lagos State parliament will pass new property, and business ownership laws in the state due to ethno-political and religious division that happened during the last 2023 general elections. On different occasions, I have called him to condemn MC Olumo for his heinous act to a tribe but he always choose to turn blind eyes to the truth.”
“In the presidential and governorship elections, many Igbos supported the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi and Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour for the state governorship election respectively.”
“In my opinion I think Obasa should step down as the speaker because he has already proven that he is not a healer, he has no respect for the rule of law nor for our great investors from around the world and the entire Nigerian people. As a legal head, he is supposed to enact laws that would protect and unite us, instead the newly elected 3rd term Speaker is proposing discriminatory laws with potentials of converting all properties belonging to the non indigenes to the indigenes.”
Rowland Okorie expressed his strong disapproval, describing the recent action as a perilous decision that rekindles painful memories of the Igbos’ abandoned properties during the civil war. He emphasized that the Igbos need to be vigilant and recognize the dangers and unacceptability of this move.
Rowland voiced his disappointment, suggesting that the members of the assembly should have prioritized proposing bills focused on youth empowerment and programs aimed at creating employment opportunities and generating substantial revenue for both the state and the country.
Regarding Obasa’s re-election as Speaker for a third consecutive term, Rowland shared his thoughts, stating, “In my opinion, one of the conditions for Obasa’s continuous tenure as Speaker was his willingness to enact legislation that disadvantages the Igbo community.”
“Sometimes when you look at every move by men in the position of power it feels like there is a war against the Igbos. The 2023 elections really went further to expose how dangerous the hate against a tribe could lead to division of the whole nation. Obasa did not do anything about MC Oluomo after he threatened to kill Igbos. If we must live in peace we must follow great examples of powerful nations like America.”
The speaker of the House of Rep in Dallas Texas was suspended and impeached, even Kenya, a fellow African country. Their former president was indicted, and all we do is sit and watch our leaders do as they pleases.”
“It is time investors look towards the eastern part of the nation especially the Igbo states – Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo States for more investment opportunities. I’m encouraging Igbos to invest more in their states and minimize their investments in other states.”