Igbo think tank Aka Ikenga has reported Oba of Lagos, Alhaji Rilwanu Akiolu, to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies over his purported threat that Ndigbo in Lagos State would meet with death if they should fail to vote for the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr. Akinwumi Ambode, during the April 11 polls.
Aka Ikenga President, Chief Goddy Uwazurike, disclosed this in a statement made available to News Express. He strongly condemned Oba Akiolu’s threat, describing it as “mind-boggling.”
According to the statement, “Aka Ikenga condemns in its entirety the statement credited to the highly respected Oba of Lagos threatening Ndigbo resident in Lagos to vote only a particular candidate in this governorship and state Assembly election. It is mind-boggling that Ndigbo are threatened with consequence if they disobey. It is a known fact that we seek a free and fair election. At what point were Yoruba and Hausa Fulani people threatened for their votes?
“We we have stated it repeatedly that people should vote according to their conscience without any fear or favour. Freedom of choice is an inherent right and nobody can take it away from Ndigbo. For the avoidance of doubt, threat to one Igbo man is a threat to us all. We shall do our civic duty as directed by INEC and the security agencies to whom we have copied this press release.”
•Photo shows Uwazurike.
NEWS EXPRESS is Nigeria’s leading online newspaper. Published by Africa’s international award-winning journalist, Mr. Isaac Umunna, NEWS EXPRESS is Nigeria’s first truly professional online daily newspaper. It is published from Lagos, Nigeria’s economic and media hub, and has a provision for occasional special print editions. Thanks to our vast network of sources and dedicated team of professional journalists and contributors spread across Nigeria and overseas, NEWS EXPRESS has become synonymous with newsbreaks and exclusive stories from around the world.