Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has addressed the ongoing speculation regarding his alleged Igbo ancestry, stating that such claims simply make him laugh.
This revelation came during a meeting with the leadership of the Ndigbo Amaka Progressive Market Association, a coalition of prominent markets in Lagos State, held at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library in Abeokuta, Ogun State, on Thursday.
In a statement issued by his special assistant on media, Kehinde Akinyemi, Obasanjo refrained from delving deeply into the paternity issue, saying only, “It just makes me laugh.”
During the gathering, the former President expressed his commitment to an inclusive Nigeria, asserting that no Nigerian should ever feel compelled to leave any part of the country. “We own this country together,” he emphasized.
Obasanjo was enthusiastic about the group’s plans for the Owerri Central Market, a long-awaited project that promises to be the finest of its kind in Nigeria. “This market has been envisioned since the creation of Imo State,” he noted, acknowledging the delays that have plagued its development. “But I am glad it is coming up again, and I hope this time we will all make it real. It is going to be groundbreaking.”
He praised the interest shown by the state governor, expressing confidence that the Owerri Central Market could flourish under capable leadership. “I believe in its potential to transform our economy.”
In a pointed response to recent calls for the Igbos to leave certain areas of Nigeria, Obasanjo declared, “We fought together for unity in this country; it’s about bringing people together, not driving anyone away. If anyone tells me that someone should leave, it is that person who must go.”
Chief Emeka Dallas Emmanuel, the group’s spokesperson, echoed this sentiment, sharing a letter co-signed by Comrade Chinedu Ukatu and Evangelist Iwuchukwu Ezenwafor.
He outlined the market’s potential to become a hub for innovation and entrepreneurship and sought Obasanjo’s support in bringing the international market to fruition—a project that could help countless members escape the challenges of street vending.
Emmanuel added, “The assistance of the former President will be invaluable in helping our members secure loans to purchase shops and spaces at the market.”
