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The deportation of 72 Igbos from Lagos on July 24 by the government of Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN) is now a source of disagreement in the famous Ngige family of Anambra State.

While many Igbos have condemned the action and even called for Lagos State to pay damages to Anambra and to apologise for wreaking havoc on the psyche of the people, All Progressive Congress (APC) chieftain Senator Chris Ngige stoutly defended it.

However, in sharp contrast to the position taken by Senator Chris Ngige, his brother, Chief Emeka Ngige (SAN), has openly chided the Government of Lagos for treating a people without regard to decency and propriety.

Attorney Emeka Ngige bared his mind on the issue Friday while speaking at the meeting of Otu Oka Iwu (Association of Igbo Lawyers in Lagos) at the Old Ministry of Works and Housing Bulding, Lagos. He said it was unfortunate that such a reckless action had taken place for the umpteenth time. Expressing his feelings via an Igbo adage, Chief Emeka Ngige said: “Agbaa nbu oto n’ogwe; agbaa abua otu n’ogwe; obu ogwe ka ana apiri aku.”

The Senior Advocate described the reaction of Anambra State Governor Peter Obi – who wrote a protest letter to President Goodluck Jonathan over the issue –as mild. He made it clear that if he were the governor, he would have immediately, since most of them were not Anambra people, “taken them back not just to Lagos, but to (the Government House) Alausa.”

Chief Emeka Ngige, however, advised that since the action of the Lagos State Government has been roundly condemned by Nigerians, what is needed now is healing in order not to overheat the polity.

•Photo shows Emeka Ngige

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