by Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna
Former Senator representing Southern Kaduna and governorship candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in Kaduna State, Senator Danjuma La’ah, has said his presence at the Igbo Day celebration, in Kaduna, was to boost the morale of the Igbo community and reaffirm that all tribes in Kaduna belong to one family.
Senator La’ah, who spoke in an interview on the sidelines of the event, described the celebration as fantastic, saying, even though he was delighted to meet with the Igbo community, he however expressed disappointment over what he described as “disrespect by the officials.”
“It was so fantastic, and I’m so happy meeting with the Igbo community on Igbo Day in Kaduna. It is not today that I’m meeting with them,” he said.
The former lawmaker said he has a long-standing relationship with the Igbo community and felt at home among them.
“And I felt I belong. So, whatever I’m doing here, I’m never wrong in coming here. I felt my coming here is to boost the morale of the Igbos,” he said.
According to him, his message goes beyond the Igbos to all tribes resident in Kaduna, noting that unity and brotherhood must be promoted.
“Not only Igbos, any tribe, any tribe that happens to be here, I make sure that we belong to the same community. We are not just coming here to make food for ourselves; we came here to prove to the Igbos that we all belong and we are all brothers and sisters,” La’ah stated.
The NDC governorship candidate assured the community of cooperation and security, if given the opportunity to serve, promising to “carry everyone along.”
“No matter what differences that we had before, I have promised, if God gives me that opportunity, I will definitely spend that money. And I’m assuring you cooperation, security,” he said, adding that “Kaduna has come of age and is like Lagos in the North and must be developed inclusively.”
Senator La’ah, however, expressed disappointment over what he described as “mishandling and disrespect” of invited guests at the event by government officials, saying such attitude portrays the Igbo community as unwanted.
“I was so disappointed, if all other government officials can come here and be mishandled, telling them that as if we don’t want to be here. You invited us to come, we didn’t come here on our own,” he lamented.
He stressed the need to respect leaders and people who deserve respect, recalling his own journey in public service.
“A governor remains a governor. He is the city governor. I don’t know what I will be tomorrow. I was not born like this. Through my growing, I became so many things. I had my titles. I had the opportunity to become a two-time senator. Nobody has ever become, but at least they should respect who deserves to be respected,” he said.
Despite the ‘setback,’ Senator La’ah commended the Igbo community and their leaders for their resilience and said he looks forward to stronger engagement with them.
“The community, their leaders, they really messed us around, but no problem, we look forward to meeting them,” he added.