The Oba of Lagos, HRM Rilwan Akiolu has denied threatening Igbos in Lagos of perishing in the Lagoon if they failed to vote for his preferred candidate, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode of the All Progressives Congress, APC.
While making clarification on what he said when some selected Igbo leaders paid him courtesy visit , the Monach said in a statement signed by Chief Lateef Aderibigbe Ajose, Opeluwa of Lagos, that he only called on Igbo chiefs to show appreciation to Lagos State by supporting his candidate, Ambode, for continuity of excellence as they had earlier promised.
The statement read: “My attention has been drawn to a publication in a national newspaper where HRM Oba Rilwanu Akiolu was alleged to have threatened Igbo in Lagos to make them vote for Ambode.
“Last Sunday, all honorary Eze Ndigbo in Lagos paid a courtesy call to HRM Oba Akiolu. At the meeting, the visitors praised the Oba for his fatherly support for and co-operation with Igbo in Lagos. They assured him of their continued good neighbourliness with other tribes in Lagos and to support everything that will further strengthen that harmony.
“Oba Akiolu on his part acknowledged the enviable performance of Governor Babatunde 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 Goodluck Jonathan as perceived by the Eze Ndigbo.
“The Oba, thereafter, called on the Igbo 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 and the meeting ended with the traditional breaking of kolanuts, alligator pepper, bitter kola and pouring of libation. It was within this context that the tradition of Lagos with regard to the lagoon came up. 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.
