“Igbos Should Reflect on Davido and Chioma’s Wedding Location” – Joe Igbokwe

Davido and Chioma’s wedding in Lagos on Tuesday has sparked significant buzz both online and offline. The highly anticipated, star-studded event drew dignitaries from various spheres, including former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo, several governors, and numerous celebrities.

The wedding has generated extensive commentary on social media, with Joe Igbokwe, a prominent APC member, offering a pointed reflection for the Igbo community. Igbokwe criticized the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), the Eastern Security Network (ESN), and other armed groups, attributing the decision to hold the wedding in Lagos rather than Chioma’s hometown in Imo State to security concerns.

In a Facebook post, Igbokwe lamented, “As beautiful and colorful as CHIVIDO’s wedding is, I regret the obvious and painful truth that the event did not take place in the South-East. Thank you IPOB, ESN, and known gunmen.”

Igbokwe’s remarks echo the concerns raised by celebrity barman Cubana Chief Priest about the decline of traditional events in Southeastern Nigeria due to insecurity. Igbokwe urged the Igbo people to reflect on the situation and work towards restoring peace in their homeland.

“Anybody who has Igbo blood running in him or her knows that there are known gunmen in the South-East, and they are Igbo, our brothers and sisters. There are also ESN and IPOB. They have used their hands to crush Igbo land, our people, our businesses,” he wrote, emphasizing the need for self-reflection among Igbos regarding the wedding’s location.

Igbokwe highlighted that the Adeleke family from Osun State deemed it unsafe to conduct the traditional marriage ceremony in the South-East due to the presence of armed groups, creating an environment of fear in the region.

Known for his fervent pro-Lagos stance, Igbokwe, an appointee of the Lagos State governor in 2019, has often contrasted his adopted city with his native South-East.