Oba Akiolu’s Threat To Igbos, A Preview Of What To Expect From APC Govt – Muazu

National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Alhaji Adamu Muazu, yesterday accused the Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwanu Akiolu, who was reported to have ordered Igbos in the nation’s commercial capital to vote for the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Mr. Akinwumi Ambode, or else they will die in the lagoon, of acting a shock preview of what the government-in-waiting would do when it takes over the reins of leadership of the country May 29.

Muazu said that he was disturbed that the incoming administration of the APC refused to immediately comment on the attack of non-indigenes by the Oba of Lagos, even as he warned that Lagos State cannot afford to remain an island of continuity in what he termed, a sea of change.

In a statement yesterday in Abuja, the PDP national chairman, who described Oba Akiolu’s directive to Igbo leaders because the people voted against the APC in the presidential and national assembly election as disheartening, stressed that it was equally surprising that such comments came from a highly respected and revered traditional ruler.

He pointed out that the APC and Oba Akiolu have resorted to threats because of the seeming popularity and acceptability of the PDP flag bearer, Jimi Agbaje.

He said, “I do hope that the news emanating from the palace of the Oba of Lagos is not the APC way of showing us a shock preview of their style of government from May 29th 2015. The PDP has shown a heavy commitment to institutionalizing democracy in Nigeria by encouraging Nigerians to vote according to their conscience in a free, fair and credible election.

“Lagos State cannot remain an island of continuity in a sea of change. For the next Saturday April 11 gubernatorial elections, the formidable PDP candidate in Lagos State, Mr Jimi Agbaje should easily beat his rival All Progressive Congress flag bearer Mr Akinwumi Ambode in the elections.

“The PDP came very close to winning the presidential elections in Lagos state and our supporters must not relent because Lagos is going the PDP way for the first time since 1999. It is going to be a desirable change because the pedigree of our candidate is formidable. This has obviously caused consternation in the APC as they continue to find a way of stopping the Jimi Agbaje success train in its tracks”.

The PDP national chairman, who noted that efforts from some persons and quarters to put a stop to Agbaje’s political ambition has “hit the rocks”, stressed that “the key the PDP needs to win a historic victory in Lagos is for our supporters to turn out en mass and vote for our brilliant candidate Jimi Agbaje. We must eschew voter-apathy because we are in the midst of a new dawn in Lagos”.

Muazu continued: “There are far too many reasons why Agbaje will take the majority votes in the elections. He is more articulate, more experienced and ready to give good governance to the people of Lagos. Jimi Agbaje is simply a man of the people. This apart, the APC is in a state of panic in Lagos and resorting to threats to force non indigenes to vote for Ambode.

“The furor generated by the Oba of Lagos when he chided Igbo leaders because the people voted against the APC is disheartening, especially coming from a highly revered traditional ruler who was a top police officer before his retirement. I am surprised that the new government-in-waiting kept mum at this blatant intimidation and r*pe of democracy by those who claim to be the sponsors of the Ambode for Governor Campaign.

“By conceding the presidency, the PDP has shown a capacity to allow democracy thrive in our country, but if the next ruling party cannot concede a state if they are beaten fair and square, then there must be something very, very wrong with the APC”.