By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo for the first time reacted to the claim of his Igbo paternity, declaring that such insinuation makes him laugh.

This is just as the former President said he doesn’t believe anybody in Nigeria should be driven away from any part of the country declaring that, “we own this country together.” Obasanjo, according to a statement on Friday issued by his Special Assistant on Media, Kehinde Akinyemi, said this when he received on Thursday the leadership of Ndigbo Amaka Progressive Market Association, an umbrella body of major markets in Lagos State at the boardroom of the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, Abeokuta, Ogun State.

Some people had in the past claimed that the former President was born to an Igbo father from Anambra State.

The former President, who was said not to have spoken much about the allegations simply said, “It just makes me laugh.”

Speaking about the meeting, the Obasanjo said the leadership of the group reached out to him to support the establishment of the Owerri Central Market positioned to be the best of its kind in the country.

He acknowledged that the Central Market Owerri had been contemplated since the creation of Imo State, adding that for one reason or the other, it has not been implemented, “but, I am glad it is coming up again and I hope this time, we are all going to make it real. It is going to be big, the first of its kind.

“And, I am happy also that the governor is showing the desired interest and understanding. And, I am confident that the Owerri Central Market will be,” he said, expressing the desire to lead the marketing team for the market.

Obasanjo said he doesn’t believe anybody in Nigeria should be driven away from any part of the country asserting that, “we own this country together ”

He said, “Having ensured that the Yorubas, Igbos and Hausas all came together to fight the war of unity in Nigeria, and not to fight Igbos to go, but to come. So if anybody says to me, that somebody should leave any place, he will be the one to leave.”

In his remarks, the group’s spokesperson, Chief Emeka Emmanuel, who read a letter jointly signed by Chinedu Ukatu and Iwuchukwu Ezenwafor, said the market will be a hub for innovation and entrepreneurship, assuring the group’s determination to play its role to the growth of the market and the nation

He further sought the help of the former President towards the actualisation of the international market capable of taking a vast majority off the streets.

Emmanuel added that the assistance of the former President will go a long way in helping their members obtain loans to purchase shops and spaces at the market.