Oba's palace speaks on alleged anti-Igbo comment: "What the Oba Akiolu really said"

The palace of the Oba of Lagos,
Rilwan Akiolu, has issued a
statement, clarifying the Oba’s
statement when Igbo leaders in
Lagos visited him on Sunday.
Read full statement below.
THE PALACE MAKES FURTHER
CLARIFICATION ON THE STATEMENT
BY THE OBA OF LAGOS.
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
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.
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 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.
2.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.
3. 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.
Signed: Chief Lateef Aderibigbe Ajose, Opeluwa
of Lagos