Lawyer Kenneth Okonkwo has said that Ndigbos are the only true Nigerians who believe in the country. The actor turned politician made this statement during an interview with Arise Television.

He stated that Igbos build their homes and contribute to the development wherever they go. However, some people have misunderstood them as being dominant.

Okonkwo described Igbos as agents of development, emphasising that Nigeria needs unity. He attributed the lack of unity in the country to the incompetence and corruption of certain individuals.

He specifically called out Bayo Onanuga, President Bola Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Strategy and Information, for referring to Igbos as aliens in Lagos.

The former Labour Party presidential spokesperson accused Onanuga of using public power for personal gain in an effort to vilify the Igbos.

He said, “The only true Nigerians who truly believe in Nigeria are the Ndi-Igbo. Wherever they go, they build their homes, live there, and develop the area.

It was quite unfortunate that before 1966, the desire of Igbos to develop wherever they lived was manipulated and misconstrued for their quest for dominance.

I am happy it is no longer in the minds of Nigerians to think in that pattern and formular.

Wherever you find them, they build their homes, live there, and contribute to its development. We need each other, especially the Igbos, who are agents of development.

Ndigbos are agents of development. What is threatening our unity now is incompetence and corruption. What is happening in Lagos? Why are Igbos feeling uncomfortable? Because there are some people like Bayo Onanuga who will tell you Igbos are aliens in Lagos. Can you imagine? Aliens in Yorubaland. Imagine somebody being an alien in his own country. Abuse of public power for private gain.

If you cannot convince the Yorubas to vote for you when you’re a Yorubaman, you have failed. If you need to vilify another ethnic group. These are some of the things that are bringing about the sentiments of marginalization and the instigation of people saying, Let us have our own home if you cannot guarantee our safety in the general Nigeria country.

We must sit down and ensure that the country is built on equity, justice, and fairness."

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