The Oba of Lagos, Riliwanu Akiolu, says there is a need for
Igbos and other non-indigenes in Lagos State to respect
the tradition and culture of their host.
The monarch said this recently during a chat with
newsmen.
While responding to a question on the threat he issued out
to Igbo residents in Lagos State if they did not vote for
Akinwunmi Ambode of the All Progressives Congress,
Akiolu maintained that he had no ill feeling towards Igbo in
the state as some of his closest friends were Igbo.
He said, “Eze Odimegwu, who is a former CEO of Nigerian
Breweries, is still my best friend as well as many others.
The Obi of Onitsha came to visit me here a few days ago.
When you go to a place, you have to respect the host
leaders, particularly the traditional leaders there because
you are coming to benefit from their success.
“The people of Lagos are the friendliest and most
accommodating people in Nigeria.”
He said the video which showed him issuing threats to Igbo
leaders was a misrepresentation of what truly transpired.
He said the issue was twisted by those who wanted to gain
political advantage ahead of the governorship election but
God put them to shame.
“Those who orchestrated the entire incident know
themselves and I tell you, those (Igbo leaders) who came
here on that day understand me a lot and have even been
coming since then,” he said.
Akiolu said many of the non-indigenes were deceived by
politicians in their quest for power.
He said, “The man that promised to hand them deputy
governorship slot and four commissioner positions and
would elevate the status of Eze Ndigbo to that of Oba of
Lagos has since denied it.
“It was all a political gimmick because I am sure they know
that he was only deceiving them. As a matter of fact,
prominent traditional rulers in the South-East have been
writing us to say that they are not happy about the large
number of ezes in Lagos.”
He urged all Igbo who won elections in Lagos State not to
disappoint the people.
The monarch said he was confident that Ambode would do
well in office.
He said Ambode would serve as governor for eight years
not just because it was the will of God but because he
would perform excellently well. He, however, said Agbaje
was free to contest again in 2019 if he wanted.
He said, “By the Grace of Almighty Allah and my ancestors
in this house, the Governor-elect, Ambode, will rule for eight
years with a good performance.”
He said he had nothing against the Peoples Democratic
Party or its governorship candidate, Mr. Jimi Agbaje, but
noted that all humans are equal in the eyes of God but are
not equal in the love of God.
He said Ambode proved his competence by saving the state
from financial hardship when it was deprived of funds from
the Federal Government.
Akiolu said he was not a politician but was only interested
in the prosperity of Lagos and would continue to support the
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