Ambode: Oba Of Lagos Makes U-Turn, Says He Didn’t Threaten Igbos With Death Penalty

Posted by African Examiner Featured, Latest Headlines, News From The State Monday, April 6th, 2015

Lagos Oba, Rilwan Akiolu has made a u-turn over his threat that any Igbo man who votes against the candidacy of the All Progressive Congress, APC, Candidate, Akinwunmi Ambode will die.

The Oba says he never made such statement, but African Examiner can confirm that the oba actually said any Igbo man who votes against Ambode will die, with his voice duly recorded.

In a statement from the Oba’s palace on Monday and signed by Chief Lateef Aderibigbe Ajose, Opeluwa of Lagos, Akiolu denied threatening the Igbos if they did not vote for Ambode.

The statement read “Last Sunday, all honorary Eze Ndigbos in Lagos paid a courtesy call to HRM Oba Akiolu. 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 neighbourliness 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 Obas thereafter called on the Igbos chiefs to show appreciation to Lagos State by supporting his candidate, Mr. Ambode for continuity of excellence as they have earlier promised.”

The statement added that the oba assured them of his continued support‎ and assistance where needed and that the meeting ended with the traditional breaking of kolas, alligator pepper, and bitter kola and pouring of liberation on the ground.

It said it was within this context that the tradition of Lagos with regard to the lagoon came up, saying it was noted that whoever works against the throne and the interest and peaceful co-existence of Lagos would end up in the lagoon as per tradition.

“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,” it added.

But according to the recorded voice of Akiolu, he said equivocally that “On Saturday, if any one of you goes against Ambode who I picked, that is your end. If it doesn’t happen within seven days, just know that I am a bastard and it’s not my father who gave birth to me.

“Jonathan is my son and I speak to him every day, by the grace of God, I am the owner of Lagos for the time being. This is an undivided chair. The palace belongs to the dead and those coming in the future. 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 inside this water.

“I am not ready to beg you. Nobody knew how I picked Ambode. Jimi is my blood relation and I told him that he can never be governor in Lagos for now. The future belongs to God. I am not begging anybody, but what you people cannot do in Onitsha, Aba or anywhere, if you do what I want, Lagos will continue to be prosperous for you, if you go against my wish, you will perish in the water.”

Play the audio click of the Oba>>> Z0001277