Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has responded to the claim regarding his Igbo paternity for the first time, stating that the suggestion simply makes him laugh.
Additionally, Obasanjo emphasized his belief that no one in Nigeria should be forced out of any part of the country, affirming, “We own this country together.”
According to a statement released on Friday by his Special Assistant on Media, Kehinde Akinyemi, Obasanjo made this remark during a meeting on Thursday with the leadership of the Ndigbo Amaka Progressive Market Association, an umbrella organization for major markets in Lagos State.
The meeting took place in the boardroom of the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
There have been past claims suggesting that the former President was born to an Igbo father from Anambra State.
The former President, who reportedly had little to say about the allegations, simply remarked, “It just makes me laugh.”
Regarding the meeting, Obasanjo mentioned that the group’s leadership had approached him to support the development of the Owerri Central Market, which is expected to be the premier market of its kind in the country. He noted that the idea for the Central Market in Owerri had been considered since Imo State’s creation but had yet to be realized for various reasons.
“But, I am glad it is coming up again and I hope this time, we are all going to make it real. It is going to be big, the first of its kind.”
“And, I am happy also that the governor is showing the desired interest and understanding. And, I am confident that the Owerri Central Market will be,” he said, expressing the desire to lead the marketing team for the market.
The former president said he doesn’t believe anybody in Nigeria should be driven away from any part of the country asserting that, “we own this country together ”
He said, “Having ensured that the Yorubas, Igbos and Hausas all came together to fight the war of unity in Nigeria, and not to fight Igbos to go, but to come. So if anybody says to me, that somebody should leave any place, he will be the one to leave.”
