GUBER POLL: OBA AKIOLU'S STATEMENT UNGUARDED, SAYS IGBO GROUP

An Igbo group, Igbo Professionals Lagos (IPL), today maintained, that it is unacceptable, regrettable, and unfortunate, statements associated to the Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu, over allegation of  warning Igbos in Lagos State to cast their vote for the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Akinwumi Ambode or be drowned in Lagos Lagoon.

The group in a statement issued by its convener, Mazi Chigo Ukatah, insisted that, "This insult on the Igbo is getting out of hand. We're shocked to read the vituperations ascribed to an ordinarily Royal Father who in the first instance should be apolitical and a father to all.

"We're further confounded that the Oba of Lagos, who should know the meaning of democracy has gone above board to declare what we consider should engulf the nation in yet another civil war.

"Yourubas and Igbos have been living harmoniously together but this callous, unguarded statement of a 'father for all'' has shown the type of father he is.

"We state unequivocally, that the Igbos who are industrious, law-abiding citizens of Lagos state will not constitute nuisance to the law but would not be pushed to the wall by anybody.

"Anyone who pushes us to the wall will bear the full brunt of Igbo. We're not afraid of anything. Anyone who tries to push us to the ocean will be dragged into the ocean.

"We've tried being our brother's keeper for too long and that should not be taken for weakness. We're warriors and not afraid of death."

The convener, who coincidentally retired as an Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG), advised the Lagos Monarch to take a leaf from first class monarchs such as the Oba of Benin, Ooni of Iife, Obi of Onitsha, Sultan of Sokoto, Emir of Kano, Obong of Calabar to mention but a few to know how to speak as a Royal Father.

According to him, "We call on world leaders and well-meaning Nigerians to hold Oba Akiolu responsible when the war he has declared against Igbos begin to rage.

"An Igbo proverb, says 'Ochu nwa okuko nwe ada, nwa okuko nwe nwewe oso,' meaning ''Whoever is pursuing a chick, is doomed to fall as the chick runs to freedom.

"Enough of this abuse on the sensibility of the Igbos. One wonder if the Oba would have had the affront to talk to the Fulanis or Hausas the way he had chosen to insult the Igbos.

"The Igbos will vote their conscience in Lagos and Oba Akiolu will absolutely do nothing. If he feels like drowning, he can head to the Lagoon and do so, surely no Igbo soul will accompany him.

"He should also understand that he was appointed and not ordained by God but made by a governor, let him not think he cannot be removed. A word is enough for the wise."

Photo credit: Theeagleonline