Tag: Rilwan Akiolu

Obaseki Condemns Attack On Akiolu, Others At Oshiomhole’s House

A file photo of Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State speaking to reporters.

 

 

Edo State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki, has condemned the attack on the Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu, the Chancellor of Edo State University, Dr Aderemi Makanjuola, and other guests at the residence of the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomhole.

He stated this during an interview with reporters on Saturday after he and the other dignitaries escaped an attack by suspected thugs at the residence of his predecessor.

Governor Obaseki took exception to the resort to violence, noting that it was shameful for such an attack to take place at the residence of the leader of the ruling party in the state and at the national level.

He described the attack as an unfortunate incident, saying, “It is very unfortunate that we can’t feel safe in the house of our National Chairman.”

READ ALSO: Thugs Who Attacked Us Are Loyalists To Edo Deputy Governor, Says Oshiomhole

The governor added, “I am not sure that if I visit the Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), they will attack me the way they did in the house of the APC National Chairman.

“It is unfortunate that things have degenerated to this extent but we will continue to pursue peace; we cannot afford to lose the gains of the last three years.

Court Dismisses Suit Challenging Akiolu As Oba Of Lagos

Court Dismisses Suit Challenging Akiolu As Oba Of Lagos
A file photo of Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu.

 

A Lagos High Court sitting in the Ikeja area has declared that Oba Rilwan Akiolu is the bona fide Oba of Lagos.

Justice Babajide Candide-Johnson made the declaration in a judgment that lasted about two hours on Friday.

He also dismissed the suit filed by two members of the Royal Family, Prince Adedoyin Adebiyi and Prince Rasheed Modile, who were challenging Akiolu’s installation as the Oba of Lagos.

READ ALSO: We Will Allocate Political Offices ‘On Merit’ – Buhari

The court held that the duo did not prove their case against the traditional ruler.

In the suit, Adebiyi and Modile claimed that Akiolu was not entitled to the throne because he was not a member of a ruling royal family by not being a direct descendant of Oba Ado, the first Oba of Lagos.

According to the claimants, only members of the Ologun Kutere and Akinsemoyin ruling households were entitled to the throne.

They also alleged that proper customary rules and procedures were not followed when Akiolu was appointed as Oba in May 2003.

Others joined as respondents in the suit were the Governor of Lagos State, the Attorney-General of Lagos State, Prince Babatunde Akitoye, and Chief Junaid Eko.

Former Chief Justice Calls For Power Decentralisation

Dahiru Musdapher, Chief Justice, DecentralisationA former chief justice of the federation, Justice Dahiru Musdapher has advocated the decentralization of some aspects of government, especially in the areas of resource management, saying that the current federal appropriation system has bred laziness across many states of the federation.

He made the call in Abeokuta, the Ogun state capital while delivering a lecture titled ‘The Question of Nigeria’s Unity’ at the 75th birthday celebration of Chief Alani Bankole who is the father of a former speaker of the House of Representatives, Dimeji Bankole.

The former chief judge chronicled the many challenges facing the country and attempts by government towards resolving these challenges but regretted that despite all of the efforts, the country remains divided along ethnic, political and religious divides.

As if speaking on the current economic challenges facing the country, the former judge asked states of the federation to seek new and diverse avenues for economic transformation of their states.

He added that Nigerians must be brave in addressing the grievances and injustices committed on all sides that have pervaded the Nigerian society.

In his own contribution, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, was of the opinion that bad leadership remains the bane of Nigeria’s development.

He was, however, quick to also call for national cohesion and unity.

Also present at the event was the Governor of Ogun State, Ibikunle Amosun; House of Reps Deputy Speaker, Lasun Yusuf; Prince Bola Ajibola; Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu and other traditional rulers.

Among other dignitaries were former governors of Ogun and Jigawa states, Olusegun Osoba and Sule Lamido, Deputy Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Onyeka Chukwu.

Nigeria’s State Election Underway, Stiff Contest Expected In Lagos, Other States

electionsAccreditation in the governorship election in 29 of the 36 states of Nigeria commenced at most polling centres across the country at about 8am, with voting also expected to commence almost immediately after as scheduled by the Independent National Electoral Commission.

The election comes two weeks after the presidential and national assembly elections that saw power shift from the Peoples Democratic Party after 16 years to the All Progressives Congress.

The election has been predicted to be very keen in Lagos, Kaduna and Rivers States, where the candidates of the two main parties, that is the PDP and the APC, are considered very strong and command large following among the population in each of the states.

In Lagos State, for example, the ruling APC candidate, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, who is supposed to riding on the wave of the recent victory of the party at the federal level, is facing stiff opposition from his PDP counterpart, Mr. Jimi Agbaje.

The PDP candidate appears to be drawing strength from the huge support of some non-indigene voters in the state for the party, which manifested during the presidential elections in which the two parties almost split the votes equally.

The recent outrage that trailed a statement by the traditional ruler of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu, threatening the Igbo in the state to vote for the APC candidate or perish in the Lagoon, has also raised the stakes in the election.

Rivers State remains one to watch in the election, as both the PDP and APC in the state appear bent on emerging victorious. Mr. Dakuku Peterside, who is the governorship candidate of the APC, is backed by the incumbent, Governor Chibuike Amaechi, while his opponent in the PDP, Nyesom Wike is believed to have the backing of the presidency.

The run-up to the elections in the state has been characterised by violence, with several people killed. The state has been listed by the National Human Rights Commission, to be one of the flashpoints in this election, alongside Lagos, Kaduna and some other states.

Kaduna State has former minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, of the APC seeking to unseat Mr. Mukhtar Yero of the PDP. The state is known for a history of electoral violence, the worst of which occurred in 2011 following the announcement of the presidential election which was won by the PDP.

Mr. El-Rufai comes into the race with his pedigree as the FCT minister who carried out much of the tranformation that has taken place in the nation’s capital, Abuja.

While, Mr. Mukhtar is expected to capitalise on the power of incumbency to retain his seat in the election, his opponent, Mallam El-Rufai is also touted to ride on the wave of his popularity and eloquence to put up a good fight in the poll.

NHRC Boss Tags Comment Of Oba Of Lagos ‘Toxic Nonsense’

Chidi Odinkalu on Oba of Lagos commentThe chairman of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) in Nigeria, Professor Chidi Odinkalu, says the comment by the Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu, seen as a threat to Igbos living in Lagos State, is “a toxic nonsense”.

The Oba of Lagos had on Sunday advised the leaders of Igbo people in Lagos State to support the governorship candidate of his choice, Akinwunmi Ambode, or “perish in the water”.

The comment has triggered mixed reactions, with several condemnations. It has been described as a threat on the Igbos in Lagos.

Professor Odinkalu said he was disappointed by the Oba’s comment, stressing that the Oba should be more interested in binding the nation together and not dividing it.

“Sometimes it is good to allow people to expose themselves in their full and natural majesty.

“I cannot say I am not disappointed because that will not be honest.

“The current occupant of the stool of Lagos State is a former assistant Inspector General of Police, a very senior lawyer and a senior citizen.

“Election times are difficult times and we expect our traditional rulers to show good example.

“To explode this kind of toxic nonsense in the middle of a difficult election disappoints and he must take responsibility for what he has said,” Professor Odinkalu stressed.

He further pointed out that traditional leaders are not expected to be seen as surrogates to any political party.

The NHRC boss further stressed that the peace of Nigeria should a thing of concern to the Oba of Lagos and to all Nigerians.

After the comment by the Oba of Lagos went viral on social media, the royal palace tried to address the issue in a statement, explaining the context in which he made the statements.

The Oba of Lagos also restated his commitment to ensuring the peaceful coexistence of all Lagos residents irrespective of tribe, religion or political persuasion.

Oba Of Lagos Does Not Speak For Us – APC

Oba of Lagos Rilwan Akiolu Perish in the waters LagoonThe All Progressives Congress (APC) in Nigeria has condemned the comments of the Oba of Lagos, which has been described as a threat to Igbos in Lagos, saying “the Oba does not speak for the APC”.

The Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu, had in a speech advised the Igbos in Lagos to vote for the governorship candidate he supports, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, stressing that anyone that goes against his wish will “perish in the water”, apparently referring to the Lagos Lagoon.

A day after, the comments went viral on the social media, attracting diverse comments.

The APC on Tuesday stressed that the party had not in any way engaged in hate speech, emphasising that “Lagos is a special state. It has accounted for its diversity in its cabinet. It has never been an issue till now”.

On its twitter handle the party said: “Bad is bad, irrespective of where it comes from. We highly condemn the comments made by the highly respected Oba of Lagos in strong terms.

“In the 16 years that the party has governed Lagos, we have never heard of ethnicity as we have had in this gubernatorial elections.

“Since 99, the Lagos State Government has appointed Commissioners from various parts of Nigeria. It understands diversity is a blessing”.

The royal father, who in a statement tried to clear the air on the issue, restated his commitment to ensuring the peaceful coexistence of all residents of Lagos State irrespective of tribe, religion or political persuasion.

 

Oba of Lagos Clarifies Allegations Of Threat To Igbos

Oba of LagosThe Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu, has clarified statements of threat credited to him against the Igbos living in Lagos.

In a statement by the Opeluwa of Lagos, Chief Lateef Aderibigbe Ajose, the Oba of Lagos explained the context in which he made the statements, restating his commitment to ensuring the peaceful coexistence of all Lagosians irrespective of tribe, religion or political persuasion.

There have been reports in the media that Igbo leaders in Lagos paid the Oba a visit on Sunday April 5 and during the meeting they were told to vote for the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr Akinwumi Ambode, or else they will die in the lagoon.

He was alleged to have been angered by the votes garnered in Lagos by the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), President Goodluck Jonathan, which is believed to have been from the Igbo community.

Full Text of the Statement:

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 Rilwanu Akiolu 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 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 will 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 was 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 Igbo 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 kola nuts, alligator pepper, and bitter kola and pouring of liberation on the ground. 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’.

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.

Signed: Chief Lateef Aderibigbe Ajose, Opeluwa of Lagos

Oba Of Lagos Calls For Peaceful 2015 Elections

2015 ElectionsThe Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu, has backed President Jonathan’s call for a peaceful and violence-free 2015 elections.

In an interview on Friday with Channels Television correspondent, Kelvin Obeten, the monarch appealed to politicians to play by rules of the game and to display sense of maturity, which he said is the only way the nation’s democracy can thrive.

“I want a peaceful conduct of the election, the vote of the people should count and (I want) the support of every Nigerian to overcome our security challenges.

“All our leaders must be honest to a fault. We’ve all heard what the number one citizen said that he wants a peaceful conduct of elections… If they keep to it all will be well,” he said.