OGHENE Egho, from Delta State was elected to the House of Representatives to represent Amuwo Odofin  Federal Constituency, Lagos State in the House of Representatives on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP during the last National Assembly elections. He speaks on the import of his victory in this interview.

By Charles Kumolu

WHAT is the implication of your election to the House of Representatives given that you are not an indigene of Lagos?

This victory is for Nigerians and generations unborn. If Oghene Igho can make it here in Lagos, any other Nigerian can make it in any part of the country no matter where the person comes from. Non indigenes have been living in Lagos for years.

In Lagos Island we have Brazilians, Ghanaians and people of other nationalities, who have become indigenes of Lagos State. I came to this community about 40 years ago. My first son who is now 30 years old was born in Lagos just like his younger ones. I have been part of Lagos in the past 40 years.

Property and investments

All my property and most of my investments are here in Lagos. The house that my children know as family house is here in Lagos. I spend over 99 percent of my time here in Lagos. I only go home once in a while.

•Oghene: Lagos is my home

So, if I am that rooted in Lagos, the noise about indigene and non indigene should not come up. My victory is a testimony to the fact that Lagos belongs to everyone because it is a cosmopolitan city like New York and London.

Yoruba people are holding important political positions. Same applies to New York and other cosmopolitan cities where people of different nationalities contest and win elections. The indigenes should know that we all need ourselves to be the best we can.

The non indigenes who contribute to the socio- economic development and status of Lagos, also have the right to aspire to represent the state at any level. Therefore, this victory is important to the future of non indigenes in Lagos, it is a victory that will further cement the relationship between the indigenes and non indigenes in Lagos.

What was your magic wand?

I owe the victory to God and my supporters. However, people should not forget that I am old in politics. I contested councillorship election in Lagos in 1987 on zero party basis and won. I defeated three other indigenes to win a seat into Badagry Local Government legislative arm.

I performed so well that I was made the pioneer Supervisory Councillor for Finance and Development when Ojo Local Government Area was created. So, I am not new to politics in Lagos State. When the defunct National Republican Convention, NRC, was formed, I contested election as the state publicity secretary which was zoned to Badargy Division and I won.

That was why I was the Lagos State Publicity Secretary of the NRC during the administration of late Sir Michael Otedola. I have also served on the board of some parastatals in Lagos State. I have been on ground in the state for a long time.

Another thing that won for me is that I don’t forget my friends. I always carry everyone along. My campaign coordinator in the last election is an Awori man. He worked for me because he knows that I am part of this community. Having been around for a long time, I don’t see myself as a non indigene. I am a Lagosian and will ensure I don’t disappoint my people in the House.

When I came in as councillor there was no market at Ijegun in Satellite Town, I ensured that the market was approved and the market is there today. Unfortunately, some people who voted for me had their shops locked up by the market authorities because they voted for the PDP. That is sad but it tells you that some never thought this victory would be possible. The Agboju market and Agboju Police station were also courtesy on my efforts at the Council. Chief Femi Davies, a former chairman of Badagry Local Government can attest to this.

What is the reaction of indigenes to your victory?

It has been positive. They are happy that their inputs into my campaign resulted in victory. They have been supportive and happy that someone like me is going there to represent them. When you are accessible to the people, they don’t entertain fears that you may become distant from them when you get to the House.

The depth of their love for me informed my thank you tour, which was put together to appreciate them. I have made extensive thank you tours to all the communities in my constituency.

Are you not jittery that your party, PDP, is going to be the minority in the National Assembly?

I am not bothered about that. Whether I am in the majority or minority does not matter, what matters is how well I represent my people.