The World Igbo Congress, a pan Igbo Cultural association, has described
the Oba of Lagos, Alhaji Rilwan Akiolu, as a shame to the traditional
institution and the people he represents.
Recall that Oba Akiolu had threatened to kill all Igbos in Lagos if the
All Progressive Congress, APC, Candidate for the Governorship election
does not emerge victorious in Saturday’s polls.
The Oba’s threat captured in both audio and video has attracted widespread
condemnation.
The Igbo group in a statement signed by its Chairman, Chief Joe Nze Eto,
condemned in the strongest term what he observe to be “ethnic hate
mongering in Nigeria.” He said such is capable of “dislodging the inter
ethnic jelly glue that holds one Nigeria.”
The Statement reads:
The utterances credited to Oba of Lagos, Alhaji Rilwan Akiolu as
revealed in Thisday’s publication of Monday, April 6 just took ethnic hate
mongering in Nigeria several steps towards dislodging the inter ethnic
jelly glue that holds “One Nigeria”. It is not a secret that inter-ethnic
squabbles occur among the many peoples of Nigeria on daily basis. That is
a way of life in Nigeria, and has been so far regarded as sibling rivalry.
However, when an Oba, presumed to be of royal stock stoops this low, all
Nigerians of integrity who care about the goal of a unified “One Nigeria”
should be alarmed. What is more troubling about this Oba’s utterances is
the planning and pre-meditation surrounding its delivery. Then the Oba’s
attempt to deny his actions at his so called royal palace fell flat as
recorded audio of the proceedings exposed him in shameful contradictions.
How much further can you shame a cultural institution that ought to
exemplify integrity and impeccable seat of wisdom for a people. Oba Akiolu
has defecated on the throne, the people’s trust, and should be kicked out
of it. He is truly an embarrassment to the people he purports to rule.
In late summer of 2013, Governor Fashola “deported” Igbo “destitute” to
Anambra State in his infinite wisdom and to sanitize his state of Lagos.
He did not think of “One Nigeria” and his sworn obligation to defend and
protect the sovereignty of One Nigeria, even as a governor of a state in
Nigeria. Governed by ethnic myopia he acted against the Nigerian
Constitution he swore to up hold. If you stack Oba Akiolus’s treasonable
threat to end the lives of Igbo chiefs in his Lagos kingdom, you will see
a pattern of unchecked, crude, hateful act-out on Igbo ethnic Nigerians
they both owe gratitude for the economic wealth they enjoy. It is
extremely disappointing that this Oba has not yet apologized for his
dastardly confrontational attempt at dehumanization of an entire Igbo
ethnicity. It is further disturbing that Governor Fashola has not weighed
in to show disgust for the Oba’s gutter utterances. We call on President
Goodluck Jonathan to act immediately to protect all Igbo in Lagos from
this hate depredation by Oba Akiolu. Ethnic hate mongering in Nigeria
directly exacerbates the weakening of Nigeria’s Sovereignty and must be
tackled promptly to keep Nigeria One.
The City of Lagos will remain Nigeria’s Real Estate, developed mostly with
federal funds, and in part by Igbo Residents and Igbo Entrepreneurs. There
are many Igbo families that settled in Lagos far more than a hundred
years, and perhaps as old as this Oba’s family. The Igbo population in
Lagos is strong enough to cause this Oba’s plunge into a sublime as we now
note. The Igbo in Lagos are not cowards by any means. The Oba’s attempt to
intimidate them into voting for his APC candidate is this Oba’s
regrettable mistake. He will be held responsible for the life or property
of any Igbo if any thing should happen as he uttered, before, during and
after the April 11 state elections in Lagos. The Igbo of Lagos are
encouraged to turn out in their largest possible numbers to vote their
conscience, ignoring the Oba’s macho, but juvenile ranting. We hope that
this Oba has not hurt his preferred gubernatorial candidate’s chances of
winning at the polls.
World Igbo Congress (WIC) takes this opportunity to make it known to all
Nigerians that WIC will use any instruments available to it to protect
Igbo life from hate activities anywhere in the world. The Igbo will no
longer turn the other chick as Igbo blood is senselessly shed by Igbo
haters, no matter what circumstances prevail.
Signed:
Joe Nze Eto
Chairman World Igbo Congress