Many Nigerians have expressed outrage over the threat by Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu, against Igbo if they fail to vote for the Lagos State All Progressives Congress governorship candidate, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, in Saturday’s election.
The monarch reportedly told Igbo leaders in Lagos on Saturday that he would “make life unbearable” for the Igbos in Lagos if they frustrate efforts to ensure that Am¬bode emerges as the next governor of the state.
Oba Akiolu was quoted as saying, “On Saturday, if anyone of you goes against Ambode, whom I picked, that is your end. If it does not happen within seven days, just know that I am a bastard and it is not my father who gave birth to me.
“By the grace of God, I am the owner of Lagos for the time being. On Saturday, if anyone of you, I swear in the name of God, goes against my wish that Ambode will be the next governor of Lagos State, the person is going to die in¬side this water.”
Some Nigerians took to Twitter to comment on the controversial 'anti-igbo' comments.
Read some below,,,
Watch video of Oba Akiolu's speech below...
Apart from the Twitter users, many others who called out the monarch are the Catholic Caritas Foundation of Nigeria and the youth wing of the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, the Ohanaeze Ndigbo.
While the CCFN asked Oba Akiolu to revert his “curse” on the Igbos, the Ohanaeze youths gave the monarch 48 hours to withdraw his threat and apologise for his outburst against the Igbos.
CCFN, an organ of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria, in a statement by its Executive Secretary, Rev. Fr. Evaristus Bassey, on Monday in Abuja said Akiolu was “missing the point that Nigeria is a Republic and a democracy and not a monarchy.”
He said, “We humbly call on the Oba himself to withdraw his curse and rather appeal to the people, for indeed, such a threat may amount to playing God and God, who is a merciful father, will not allow his children to die so senselessly just because they are fulfilling the dictates of their conscience.”
According to him, the fact that APC is the government at the centre is a strong factor to employ and appeal to people to vote for its candidate “rather than invoking ancestral powers for destruction.”
Bassey added, “Why is it that in Africa we usually invoke our powers for destruction and not for building-up? Why single out a particular ethnic group for this curse? Does it mean a Yoruba or Hausa person, living in Lagos. who votes for Jimi Agbaje will go scot-free, while any Igbo, who votes for Agbaje, will drown in the Lagoon?
“Does it mean that people should vote out of fear and not their consciences? Would such an election be free and fair, where people have to vote out of intimidation?
Does not the threat of the Oba Akiolu amount to voter intimidation?”
The Ohanaeze youth wing said it considered the comments credited to the monarch as “a despicable insult on the Igbo nation home and abroad, least expected of a royal father in the rank of Oba of Lagos.”
In a statement in Umuahia on Monday, the National President of Ohanaeze Youth Council, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, said, “Igbo youths will not take this insult lightly, and unless he apologises within 48 hours, he should know he is courting our wrath.
“Nobody, no matter what he thinks he is, has the right to command Ndigbo anywhere on who to vote for in a democratic setting.”
He said the “unprintable comments”, credited to the Oba, had only revealed his innate hatred against “Ndigbo, whom God has destined to prosper in any part of the world even in hostile environments.”
He, called on security agencies to immediately invite the monarch for questioning over his remarks “which portend grave security implications.”
The monrach has however released a statement adressing the issue.
Read statement below...
My attention has been drawn to a publication in a national newspaper where HRM Oba Riliwanu Akinolu was alleged to have threatened Igbos in Lagos to make them vote for Ambode.
Last Sunday, all honorary Eze Ndigbos in Lagos paid a courtesy call to HRM Oba Akinolu. At the meeting the visitors praised the Oba for his fatherly support for and cooperation with Igbos in. Lagos. They assured him of their continued good neighborliness with other tribes in Lagos and support everything that’ll further strengthen that harmony.
Oba Akiolu on his part acknowledged the enviable performance of Governor Fashola and his contribution to the growth of investments in Lagos. He gave the assurance that he is not disturbed or angry with South-East and South- South votes for President Jonathan as perceived by the Eze Ndigbos. The Oba thereafter called on the Igbos chiefs to show appreciation to Lagos State by supporting his candidate Mr. Ambode for continuity of excellence as they had earlier promised. He assured them of his continued support and assistance where needed and the meeting ended with the traditional breaking of kolas, alligator pepper, and bitter kola and pouring of liberation on the ground.
It was within this context that that the tradition of Lagos with regard to the lagoon came up. It was said that according to tradition, whoever works against the throne and the interest and peaceful co-existence of Lagos would end up in the lagoon. Oba Akiolu stated further that the Igbo people have not betrayed the throne. Lagos has also not betrayed the Igbo people. Lagos has done so much to make the Igbos comfortable and to prosper. For this, we expect reciprocal respect and understanding.
The Oba of Lagos prays that the Lagoon and the throne will continue to bless and protect all those who reside and visit Lagos.
Oba Akiolu is the father of all irrespective of tribe, religion or political persuasion. In Lagos, we have an old traditional proverb that relates to the Lagoon. The Lagoon is unique to Lagos. The proverb stresses the need for unity and understanding when you do business in an environment and in this case when you live and do business in Lagos. Oba Akiolu prays for peace for the land of Lagos and prosperity for all its inhabitants.
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Signed: Chief Lateef Aderibigbe Ajose, Opeluwa of Lagos April 6, 2015
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Let us see how APC will win lag. The idiot (oBA) will be confirmed as a bastard when we vote for jimi
ReplyDeleteAnonymous 8.49AM: Before you open your dirty mouth. Do you know the age of the person that made the statement. Is there no possibility he is even older than your grand father. I wanted to vote for APC but now I have changed my mind. Up PDP. I will make sure I vote for PDP because of this. My vote is just one but I am very influencial on so many other people. All igbo;s should vote for pdp because of this treath
DeleteBeing a bastard isn't impossible, afterall we know what you people can do & how you live ur lives. Nonsense!
ReplyDeleteChange for Lagos State
ReplyDeleteThis man is a total idiot, that's all I can tell you. He hate Igbos, that's the bottom line. He deserves to be thrown in that filthy lagoon. Oba my nyash!
ReplyDeleteYour father, is the how your father pays homage to his elder and kings in your village.
DeleteA king that does not know how to talk does not deserve the crown. No to continuity. Vote for change
DeleteLet him watch us voting for Jimi and we see what will happen after that. Jimi Agbaja is also a Nigerian, so it is not wrong if we vote for him. APC is full of intimidation and thuggery. After all they united and voted out our favorite candidate at the center, so we must unite now and vote for our preferred person in Lagos(Jimi Agbaje), so that intimidation, thuggery, too much tax will stop. Godfatherism must stop in Lagos. Lagos must not belong to one person again.
ReplyDeleteIgbos please thread with caution and dont be too quick to oppose, just as you lost out in the presidential election. Carefully calculate your chances using wisdom and prospects. How do you pay back your host that has made you whom you are today which you cant get in your land? Think wisely! When in Rome, behave like a Roman!
DeleteI cant believe a fool like you still exist. If Igbos vote for any candidate of their choice it is their civil responsibility and the Law. I am so disappointed with ur utterances and I feel so sorry for your future and that of the Generation. If someone make a statement and he is to be rebuke let's rebuke him and not show some stupid partisan attitude. Hate PDP hate APC for all I care, however I wont sell my Conscience for sentiments. If Lagos had always survive 16years without Federal Input I believe it can survive under anyone further more as Lagos is like a Country on its own. I am a Lagosian and and Yoruba and I will not say Black when its white.So keep Shut and just use your single vote on whom pleases you. BIG FOOL!!!
DeleteMy fellow Igbo men and women vote for change. Let us change everything in Nigeria. No continuity
DeleteLets not get too emotional about this. It is true that the comments of the highly revered Oba of Lagos came short of what was expected of a king. But lets look at the flip of the coin, do we, Yorubas in Lagos, actually need the votes of the Igbos to elect Ambode? Afterall, we saw their voting pattern during the Presidential election and what came out of it. In as much as I don't support the idea of threatening anyone to get their votes, it will make sense, primarily economically (aligning Lagos with the FG) and since that could be the only logical binding reason between the hosts and the settlers (Igbos), to vote in APC in Lagos again. Igbos should for once play a smart game and not a spoiler's game. The Yorubas have been a very good and accommodating hosts, they can also become very hostile hosts, if pushed to the wall. I know for a fact that the Igbos are NOT this accommodating at all.
ReplyDeleteYou are so right. Let us all come out to vote for our candidate who happens to be Ambode. Apologies to the Igbo's for the outbursts, it is uncalled for, but fact is, the igbo's are not loyal to anyone and they can not dictate who we vote for in Lagos. Let us support Ambode.
DeleteYes! It is true that the Igbos as a Tribe may not be the determinant in these elections but you should understand too that when the Yorubas say 'Igbos' they none Yorubas and Hauses. So, the Igbos in their view are Igbos, Ibibios, Ijaws, the Edos and others who share similar behaviour. These group of people are game changers. Do not ignore them and their votes.
DeleteLast Presidential and national assemble elections is example. PDP won 5 federal seats. This shows voting patterns which i believe APC have noticed it may not be in their favour. The problem with APC is that they too aggressive and violent in nature as party. Politics is a game of lobbying and negotiation. I advised the Oba to appologised and retract his comment because i bet you by his comment he has sank Ambode and uplifted JK.
Yoruba shall, with there discriminating attitude. we are all one. Yoruba, Igbo, Hausa we are all one. we all own Lagos. Lagos is not for anybody i mean any body. its all belong to us. can Yoruba do without Igbo or Hausa, likewise can Igbo do without Yoruba. vote for anybody u want to i mean anybody u fill like voting for. THIS IS YOUR POWER. let them no u are not there kids nor there savant that they can tel to do anything they want. ONE NIGERIA.
DeletePlease my brother open your eyes we are not all one. We are only one in paper. If we are truely one, state of origin will not be in our constitution
DeletePlease speak with respect while talking to a royal father who accommodated all without showing difference in tribe or religion. Afterall, the Ndigbos supported their own, GEJ, even in the face of dire need for change. That explains the passion for one's origin. The people of Lagos welcomed all to its land, if the only thing to do is to support the host's choice, why not! Afterall what an elder sees sitting down, a child cannot see it even while standing. Igbos please dont be arrogant because you cannot allow a foreigner live in your place like you are benefiting in Lagos. Rochas Okorocha's speech last week sums it all, a true Igbo who reasons for properity not ethinicity. Long Live Lagos State.
ReplyDeleteIt is talk like this that makes me to say that Nigeria has to break up. How can someone be in their own country and they are being told that they are a foreigner in their own land? How can you be in your own home and some other tribe tell you that you don't belong in certain parts of your home? No wonder the Biafra war was fought. All I can see this leading to is war. Because the Ibos have been threatened, that is an insult and they should not vote for Ambode to show that they hate that speech. No one should try to intimidate anyone to get their vote. If you want a vote, beg not threaten. Everyone has a right to vote for whoever they like. This is why Nigeria is so messed up. Who cares if Ambode is his relative? He is not Igbos relative and I bet you it is not every Yoruba in the world that likes Ambode. He did not only threaten the Igbos but also anyone who does not like Ambode and does not want to vote for him. He is asking for bloodshed and it may just happen. I will not be surprised if there is plenty of fighting that day. I know I will not vote for somebody who threatens me. If he is a true Yoruba, then he should know that oro rere ni yo obi lapo. Oro buruku, ada lo ma yo lapo.
DeleteMr man think before you post. You need change. Ndiigbo did not need change. Ndigbo need change in governor. Maybe you do not
DeleteFor insulting and taking Igbos for granted, lemme see how d useless oba akiolu will get a single Igbo vote. A traditional ruler is supposed to be non partisan. Useless "kingmaker" . Why not denounce ur useless throne n go into full time politics
ReplyDeleteWhat actually did Yoruba's call respect, that a full old man open his mouth and course himself and they want Igbos to come and pay homage to him because he is Oba, have you people ever visited one of the Igbo Igwes and understand who Oba suppose to be. Useless set of people that doesn't have a single respect and they want respect. May AMADIOHA and OGWUGWU akpu OKIJA kill him as he said that. nonsense!!!
DeleteAllows us to go and have our own independence (BIAFRA) and let us see what is going to happen to Nigeria. Oba my foot
DeleteOba is likely against APC candidate.
DeleteSo you know kings shouldnt be partisan and Easter kings endorsed GEJ for economic reasons (money)?
DeleteThe same set of people had deported Ndi Igbo in this land and the same people calling to kill Ndi Igbo in the land. We will not take it kindly and enough is enough.
DeleteStop this gutter talk about the Oba. The King wants the best to govern his domain. You may pack and go back to your State of Origin if you are so aggrieved. For now, Nigeria recognises the State of Origin as different from the State of Birth or Residence. You can't bite the finger that feeds you.
Deletei dont like abusing people online but allow me to say this, u are a BIG FOOL. is Lagos ur own state of Origin? we all belong to ONE NIGERIA. am a Yoruba and i can never, i mean never vote for Ambo. Koni de. even if my candidate loses, i can't vote for ambo. ambo ko, ambo ni. nibo lounbo. i trust the IBOs pls fight for ur wright, we all belong to NIGERIA. why will u discriminate. dont let them us that to treat u, Lagos is everybody's land. last Sat, they all came out here in Lagos even the IBOs came to vote for the Hausa man called (Buhari) now u are saying rubbish. they should go back to there state, can u do without them. anybody that is Discriminating is a FOOL.
DeleteThe oba is a fool period., Call a spade a spade. Oba is only a position given by the grace of God. The same God will dethrone him soon
DeleteI am a die hard of APC. Sincerely the statement of the Oba is unbecoming of a king.
ReplyDeleteIgbo should vote based on their consciences.It is one thing to acquire power ,it is another thing to manage it.THE WAY I AM SEEING APC . IF CARE IS NOT TAKEN,PEOPLE LIKE THE OBA OF LAGOS AND EKITI LAWMAKERS WILL RUBBISH APC POLL VICTORY.
Ogun will strike all these ungrateful igbo people to death and they will all die in the lagoon as the oba said bcos we lagosians have been accomodating enof, we allowed you igbo ppl to do business on our land and thrive and all u cld do is pay us with evil and disrespect. May thunder strike all of u to death. What you cannot do in Onitsha andd Aba, dnt come and do it here in Lagos else Sango will strike u and ur generation to come to death. Useless, ungrateful bastards
ReplyDeleteLet me tell u,the oba statement is nothing but a way to distract us from voting for our person.let us be calm and do the right thing come saturday
ReplyDeleteAnonymous 11.49 oloriburuku ni e! Iwo ni bastard because you are not a Yoruba. May you not be one because you can never be. All the gods you invoked on our Igbo brothers rests upon you and your family! Yorubas are peace loving people and can never share the idea of you miscreants! Out vote is our choice!
ReplyDeleteOrunmila and Obatala will use ur meat for pepper soup, am a lagosian from Lagos island and these igbo ppl have pushed me to the wall and u stupid a$$hole open ur gutter to talk. Am sure u're one of them and I can guarantee u guyz that ur time is up in Lagos.
DeleteTo you @4:48pm, AMADIOHA the god of thunder will strike you mad together with that blatant primitive oba of urs. People have pushed u to the wall, tell me how many Igbos u know that are employed by Yorubas, then look in your family and u will see numerous of ur own Yoruba relatives are working and eating because they were employed by Igbos.
DeleteNow listen and listen carefully, you and ur powerless oba can not do more that the evils ur father Awolowo and the imp called benjamine adekunle did to our people with the help of Britain and we survived, so u and ur obaless should go and eat ur hearts out, without the Igbos in Lagos, that city u are seeing will be an interior Bush!
One would think a traditional ruler like the Oba of Lagos would have more common sense! that befits his position. But unfortunately he threw caution to the wind and made this comment that can cause an inter tribal war in Lagos. As if we don't have enough of Boko Haram already.A traditional ruler that means well should never get himself involved in politics at all!!
ReplyDeleteFellow Igbo men and women. Do not be intimidated by the Oba. It is in the best interest of Lagos to vote out APC. The yoruba folk talking about insulting Oba are only unjust. THEY ARE THE SAME YORUBA THAT ABUSED THEIR OWN PRESIDENT NOT KNOWING THEY ARE ABUSING THEMSELVES. Since they abused the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, their is no problem if the Oba of Lagos is abused. We are copying what they did against GEJ. GEJ tried as a president but his gentleman approach is quite weak for a terrible country like Nigeria. GEJ is the must matured president that Nigerian have ever produced. Most of our other presidents in the past behave like garage boys
ReplyDeleteGEJ will still be a hero in the heart of many Nigerians just wait for some few years and you will discover the truth in my word. Please read the Animal Farm very well. Nigeria will soon become another Animal Farm. You will realise this in the next 5-6 years. Do not trust your vote because it will not count after this election
ReplyDeletelol ibo should go, omo d kind hunger wey go strike una no b for here, u guys only earn a living through house rents inherited from ya gr8 TIMES 8 GRAND FADAS stolen from the whites, even, una don even sell half of the entire lagos to ibos yet una dey talk no worry few few more years to come na una go begin see una self for una village both the ones wey come from mali wey dey claim lagosians sef go hear am, if they ibos goes one thing u fail to know is wherever they are una go find them come for they are jews and will always survive ?
ReplyDelete