A controversy has erupted between former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Deputy Governor Kingsley Moghalu and governance expert and lawyer Joe Abah over comments made about Moghalu’s wife, Maryanne Moghalu, concerning Lagos investments.
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The dispute resurfaced after a social media influencer, Ogbeni Dipo, referenced a 2024 statement by Maryanne Moghalu during a debate with Abah on ethnic slurs. In her statement, Maryanne had warned investors against investing in Lagos amid a demolition exercise by the Lagos State Government targeting illegal structures and unapproved buildings blocking canal pathways, which had caused flooding in some areas. She had said on X, “Invest in Lagos at your own peril,” a warning that some interpreted as demarketing Lagos.
During the debate, Abah responded dismissively, stating, “Maryanne Moghalu will not stop me or anyone else from investing in Lagos or anywhere else. I didn’t need to respond to that even if I had seen it.” The statement was also likened to a deleted offensive advertisement by Bokku Mart, which had drawn backlash and an apology.
Maryanne Moghalu later defended her position, insisting she had no reason to apologize for her warning. She described Abah’s remarks as unnecessary and disrespectful, stressing that her caution was personal and intended to protect investors, not to target any ethnic group.
She wrote, “I have absolutely nothing to apologise for about my statement. It was personal, and I reserve the right to make it. When an elder like you chooses to play these games, you become what we call ‘Okenye n’agwo ofe’. If you invest with approval and it is destroyed at will, no matter where it is, I will say do not invest there. Period. Legally, if you ignore wrongdoing for a long time and have, in fact, benefited from it, you cannot turn around and shout foul when it pleases you. These buildings were allowed, and taxes collected on them. Proper due process must be followed and adequate compensation paid where appropriate.”
Maryanne emphasized that her comments were not ethnically motivated. “Many properties of non-Igbos have also been demolished. Anyone who decides to make it about tribe is on them. Your type always wants to be seen as being on the fence and be proud of it,” she added.
Reacting to Abah’s remark about his wife, Kingsley Moghalu expressed personal offense, saying, “He could have addressed his critics without mentioning my spouse’s name, but of course, he must throw her under the bus to further his vain posturing on social media. I feel personally insulted, and he ought to know better. I know for a fact that @MaryanneMoghalu‘s ‘famous’ statement was emphatically NOT ethnic in its intent or purpose, but rather was about the protection of the rights of investors.”
The incident has reignited discussions about ethical conduct on social media, respect for public figures’ families, and the responsibility of influential voices when commenting on sensitive socio-economic issues.
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