The race to Alausa on the platform of the All Progressives Congress
(APC) for the 2015 poll took an interesting dimension on Thursday, as the
Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Osuolale Akiolu, openly endorsed the candidature of
former Accountant-General, Mr Akinwumi Ambode, declaring that he (Ambode) was
the choice of God, his and elders in the state as the next Lagos State
governor.
The first class traditional ruler, who made it clear that he was
fearless and quite bold, gave the endorsement at a book launch in honour of the
APC governorship candidate, which took place at the Civic Centre, Victoria
Island, Lagos.
The event was attended by Dr Arthur Warrey, who represented the national
leader of APC, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu; the Secretary to the State Government
(SSG), Dr (Mrs) Idiat Oluwaranti Adegbure, who represented Governor Babatunde
Fashola; Dr Yemi Osibajo, Senator Fashinro, Alhaji Akeem Seriki (Bamu), Mr Ayo
Opadokun; traditional rulers, including Oba Adewale Bakare Elegunshi, the Alara
of Ilara, Oba Hakeem Adesanya, among others.
Speaking at the event, Akiolu, who noted that only God chooses leaders
and that the APC would still hold its governorship primaries, however, vowed
that no non-indigene, no matter how highly placed, would rule over him as
governor of Lagos.
“For me, Osuolale Aremu, a son of an Ewekoro traditional ruler, will not
come and become a governor where I am. I am not afraid to say that and I don’t
hide my feelings,” he vowed.
This is just as he debunked the rumour doing the rounds that Ambode was
not from Epe in Lagos but Ilaje in Ondo State, declaring that the APC
governorship aspirant was not an Ilaje but a true Lagosian.
Speaking on the occasion, the APC National Leader, Senator Bola
Tinubu, lauded Ambode for what he described as his financial wizardry put into
use during the time the funds of Lagos was seized by the Federal Government,
saying it was about good and accountable leadership.
Tinubu also said it was about sacrificing one’s comforts for the growth
and development of the state.
The monarch spoke extempore and text of his speech reads: “Only God
chooses leaders. You will still go for your party primaries to pick your
candidate, but what God and elders say must be held sacrosanct. When you see a
weedling dancing on water, what is making it do so is underneath. I have not
been found often coming out to speak outside, it is an Oba that we crown not
age.
What will happen to many others - Abike Dabiri, Ganiyu Solomon, Aremu, etc. Democracy is in trouble.
ReplyDeleteThe Oba & Tinubu have chosen a candidate & yet insist there will be state primaries to ebdorse the chosen one. This is indeed democracy in action.
ReplyDeleteThat is Janjaweed progressive's democracy at work
DeleteI do not want to believe everything I read on the pages of newspapers so I will simply say that if this article is true then I am sad for Nigeria and her traditional institutions. If Tinumbu says this I don't mind because it is expected, he is a politician. The Oba cannot be seen to be partisan. All the candidates are his children he cannot support one over the other. He should bless everyone including PDP and other party candidates and pray the best wins. The best may even be from a smaller party even if it is APGA. He should take a leaf from the Oba of Benin during the election of Daisy Danjuma and her opponent for senate. Please traditional rulers don't help the politicians kill democracy.
ReplyDeleteWake up! Endorsement does not have anything to do with corrupting democracy! Anybody can endorse anybody. In the end, we Lagosians are responsible to make the best choice. And see for yourself - Ambode truly is: www.akinwunmiambode.com
ReplyDeletetraditional institute my foot! all the traditional rulers except one, oba of benin, who is well respected. others are disappointment to their sacred office.however, oba of lagos is not surpricing. he is of such!
ReplyDeleteEndorsement is a cousin to riggin. If it has to do with state of origin as a condition to contest 4 governorship, one wonder where the oba wuz wen his friend, tinubu from Osun state ruled and is still rulling Lagos state thru imposition includin the one he has endorsed.
ReplyDeleteAlso take an example from the traditional ruler of Rumueme who allowed the then ACN Governorship candidate to use his premises for a rally when the PDP Govtt blocked them from using the stadium irrespective of the fact that his own son was a PDP chairman of the local Govt. According to him they were all his children. So this cannot happen in Lagos? I have always thought Lagosians were open minded I'm beging to think otherwise.
ReplyDeleteSeveral weeks back, rumuors had it that Akinwummi Ambode was choosen by Tinubu to take over from Fashola. Joe Igbokwe and Tinubu himself denied this report that it was lies. Now we know that the disgruntled APC men were right, there is no election rather selections by Tinubu. In the words of Gov Suswan: APC is controlled by one man from his bedroom.
ReplyDeleteUndoubtedly Tinubu has Lagos in his pocket. He decides who rules Lagos State and his daughter is the Iyaloja controlling all mkts in Lagos; his wife is a Senator and his firm oversees Lagos state accounts. Habaaa. Deciding who will be in Aso Rock will be hard for him no matter the permutations.
ReplyDelete