by Ranti Joseph
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has demanded the immediate suspension of Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu, till after the governorship and state House of Assembly elections in Lagos State.
The party called on Governor Babatunde Fashola to suspend the first-class monarch, saying it was necessary in order to guarantee free, fair and credible elections in the state.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by Lagos PDP Publicity Secretary, Taofik Gani, the party stated that it had also alerted the security agencies to hold the monarch responsible for any attack on non-indigenes or PDP members in Lagos.
According to the PDP, which is the major opposition party in the state, the silence of Fashola, over 48 hours after such inflammatory statement and threat to life suggests that the king acted on behalf of the state government.
The statement said in part, “The governor is thus a conspirator in this threat to life and must also be held accountable for any violence in these elections. We have at this point been vindicated about the desperation of the APC to retain Lagos state at all cost including the All Progressives Congress’ plan not to concede the imminent defeat on April 11.
“The positions of the PDP are coming on the heels of the now viral threat issued by the Oba of Lagos to Igbos that they must vote for the APC Governorship Candidate, Akinwunmi Ambode, or be drowned in Lagos water.”
Common PDP, the Oba is a citizen like any other Nigerian and as such he’s entitle to his personal opinion no matter how unpalatable it may be. Therefore, it is wrong for anybody to call for his suspension, after all, Fayose of Ekiti state said worse things to others during the presidential electioneering campaign but received ovation from the PDP, nobody called for his impeachment or suspension. The monarch’s pronouncement is condemnable, no doubt about it.
But take it or leave it, Oba Akinolu is entitled to his personal opinion and whoever feel offended can seek redress in the law court.