Igbo traders in Lagos: who dares move to southeast?
The Igbo traders in Lagos state are making some rather empty threats that they would take their businesses out of the state. This came as part of the issues around the 2023 general elections.
They threw their support behind Mr. Peter Obi, their brother, who actually won Lagos State. He failed to win the election as a whole. Since that time, Igbo traders in Lagos State have been calling on their kinsmen to shift to the southeastern region.
The Yoruba owners of Lagos have been tolerant of the traders. They provided a conducive environment for the traders to run their trades and businesses unhindered. The bitterness from the general elections have made them become rivals, and of course, enemies of the hosts.
The Igbo traders in Lagos consider themselves under attacks whereas there have been none targeting them or their setups in the state. All of a sudden, they started campaigning to shift their businesses to their home states.
There is nothing bad in having one’s business in one’s hometown or state. But intelligent Igbo traders in Lagos know the risk of moving to the southeastern part of Nigeria. The know what is at stake. Hence, they will be hesitant to leave.
The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), a proscribed movement, has become a serious threat to the Igbo people themselves in their own domain. The group often declare sit-at-home for the people.
During that period, shops, schools, markets, banks, streets, roads become empty. Those who own businesses in the region know their losses. They know how much money they regularly lose during the orders to sit at home.
The Igbo traders in Lagos are not ignorant of the threats that the IPOB poses. There have been several clashes between the group and the military in the country leading to loss of lives and properties.
Will the traders now, out of smartness or to spite Yoruba people, move out of Lagos State to unsafe southeastern Nigeria? Definitely, they dare not!
They know how much opportunity the southwest state provides for them. Who will be the first to move their business?
If the Igbo traders in Lagos do make real their threats, they will only pave way for the real owners of Lagos to take over. The Yoruba people ought to have even raised alarms over the takeout of their land by the Igbo people.
Follow us on social media
