A prominent chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Joe Igbokwe, has described the hostile reception he encountered at the popular Ladipo Market on Saturday as politically motivated.
Igbokwe, while speaking on the incident, denied reports circulating on social media that he was physically assaulted by a mob at the market. He maintained that although some individuals gathered around him and shouted, no one attacked or touched him.
According to him, the reaction from some traders and residents may have been influenced by his political affiliation and his outspoken stance on national issues.
“There was no mob attack. Nobody touched my body. It was just that they were making noise and people tried to caution them.
“Maybe politics. Maybe because I am an APC man. Maybe because I don’t like the politics they play. Make friends with major ethnic groups, and that is how you can rule Nigeria, but it is not forthcoming,” he said.
The APC stalwart further noted that his comments and advice are often misunderstood by some people, who view his interventions as hostile.
“There are things we saw during the first civil war. If you advise them, you will become an enemy. You
become a saboteur,” he added.Narrating how the incident unfolded, Igbokwe said he had gone to Ladipo Market to purchase a spare part for his vehicle when some people recognised him.
He explained that after buying the item and returning to his vehicle, attention began to focus on him as some individuals pointed him out to others.
“Some people were pointing fingers at me. Some were saying something. I ignored them and went in search of the part.
“I saw the part and went back to my vehicle to fix it. The people just started gathering and shouting, ‘This is Joe Igbokwe.’ I ignored them. They started coming towards me, so I moved away and went to my friend’s shop. I was there, and my friend went to call the leadership of the market. After that, I drove away.”
Asked whether he believed politics was behind the incident, Igbokwe insisted that his role and long-standing commitment to the APC may have contributed to the hostility.
“Yes. They know I have been very vocal in our party, the APC. I was the publicity secretary for many years. We are progressives; we cannot change. I have been consistent in where I stand,” he said.
