Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, has told the Oba of Lagos, Rilwanu Akiolu, to apologise to the Igbo people in Lagos “without delay” over his controversial statement.

During a courtesy visit by Eze Ndigbos (Igbo traditional rulers) of all the local governments in Lagos at the Oba’s Palace on Sunday, Mr. Akiolu had said that Igbo residents in the state should cast their votes for the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Akinwunmi Ambode, or “perish inside the lagoon.”

In a statement issued on Tuesday, Mr. Falana said the Oba’s diversionary threat is totally unacceptable as it is a mockery of the political objective of national integration.

“It is illegal as it clearly offends Section 42 of the Constitution which has prohibited discrimination on grounds of ethnicity, religion, political opinion, creed or sex,” said Mr. Falana, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria.

“Although the Oba lacks the power to cause anyone to ‘die in the Lagoon within seven days,’ the threat constitutes a violation of the fundamental right of thousands of citizens to life.

“In the case of Director-General of State Security Service v Olisa Agbakoba (1999) 3 N.W.L.R (PT 595) 314 it was held by the Supreme Court that ‘It is not in dispute that the Constitution gives every Nigerian citizen the right to move throughout Nigeria and to reside in any part thereof. It also guarantees to the citizen the right not to be expelled from Nigeria nor be refused entry or exit therefrom.’

“Since the residency right of every citizen is constitutionally guaranteed the Igbo people in Lagos should discountenance the threat of Oba Akiolu.”

The monarch came under severe criticism on Monday, as christian groups and opposition politicians lambasted him for his utterance.
Mr. Falana reminded the Oba that Lagos had continued to provide accommodation for Nigerians from all walks of life, a reason he said accounted for the absence of ‘abandoned properties’ in the state after the civil war.

“From time to time, armed militants and other misguided youths who unleash mindless violence on ‘non indigenes’ have always been called to order by the Government and the people of Lagos State,” Mr. Falana said.

“Indeed, the human-rights community has always kicked against discriminatory policies and ensured that all victims of human rights abuse are defended and protected regardless of their ethnic identity.
“As a senior lawyer, Oba Akiolu ought to have realized that the Electoral Act has not conferred powers on any traditional ruler or any other authority to sanction anyone for voting for a candidate of his or her choice in any election conducted in Nigeria.

“After all, before the just concluded presidential election the Oba adduced reasons why he could not endorse the presidential candidate of the APC, General Mohammadu Buhari (rtd.). He was not harassed or intimidated for exercising his freedom of choice.

“Since the Electoral Act, 2010 as amended has banned any form of hate campaign the Oba is advised to withdraw the threat credited to him and apologize publicly to the Igbo people without any delay.”

http://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/top-news/180706-oba-of-lagos-should-apologise-to-igbo-people-without-delay-falana.html

This Oba messed up big time, he needs to b flogged wella wella

I will vote #JK

Hit like if u feel he needs public flogging near d Lagoon river

#SayNoToTribalism
#UnitedNigeria

What will the apology do or cure? The deed has been done and the damage has already been done, and the fact that he let it drag on for this long would render the apology [almost] useless and meaningless when it is eventually tendered (that is if he would even apologise).
Meanwhile, let's forget all these and move on from here. The Igbos have already decided!! #swimming things activated#, #oya let's go there.
Use the lagoon to prepare for the next olympics; time to defeat Michael Phelps.

[s]

kolonigga:
Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, has told the Oba of Lagos, Rilwanu Akiolu, to apologise to the Igbo people in Lagos “without delay” over his controversial statement.
During a courtesy visit by Eze Ndigbos (Igbo traditional rulers) of all the local governments in Lagos at the Oba’s Palace on Sunday, Mr. Akiolu had said that Igbo residents in the state should cast their votes for the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Akinwunmi Ambode, or “perish inside the lagoon.”
In a statement issued on Tuesday, Mr. Falana said the Oba’s diversionary threat is totally unacceptable as it is a mockery of the political objective of national integration.
“It is illegal as it clearly offends Section 42 of the Constitution which has prohibited discrimination on grounds of ethnicity, religion, political opinion, creed or sex,” said Mr. Falana, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria.
“Although the Oba lacks the power to cause anyone to ‘die in the Lagoon within seven days,’ the threat constitutes a violation of the fundamental right of thousands of citizens to life.
“In the case of Director-General of State Security Service v Olisa Agbakoba (1999) 3 N.W.L.R (PT 595) 314 it was held by the Supreme Court that ‘It is not in dispute that the Constitution gives every Nigerian citizen the right to move throughout Nigeria and to reside in any part thereof. It also guarantees to the citizen the right not to be expelled from Nigeria nor be refused entry or exit therefrom.’
“Since the residency right of every citizen is constitutionally guaranteed the Igbo people in Lagos should discountenance the threat of Oba Akiolu.”
The monarch came under severe criticism on Monday, as christian groups and opposition politicians lambasted him for his utterance.
Mr. Falana reminded the Oba that Lagos had continued to provide accommodation for Nigerians from all walks of life, a reason he said accounted for the absence of ‘abandoned properties’ in the state after the civil war.
“From time to time, armed militants and other misguided youths who unleash mindless violence on ‘non indigenes’ have always been called to order by the Government and the people of Lagos State,” Mr. Falana said.
“Indeed, the human-rights community has always kicked against discriminatory policies and ensured that all victims of human rights abuse are defended and protected regardless of their ethnic identity.
“As a senior lawyer, Oba Akiolu ought to have realized that the Electoral Act has not conferred powers on any traditional ruler or any other authority to sanction anyone for voting for a candidate of his or her choice in any election conducted in Nigeria.
“After all, before the just concluded presidential election the Oba adduced reasons why he could not endorse the presidential candidate of the APC, General Mohammadu Buhari (rtd.). He was not harassed or intimidated for exercising his freedom of choice.
“Since the Electoral Act, 2010 as amended has banned any form of hate campaign the Oba is advised to withdraw the threat credited to him and apologize publicly to the Igbo people without any delay.”
http://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/top-news/180706-oba-of-lagos-should-apologise-to-igbo-people-without-delay-falana.html

[/s]

The Oba should be thrown into the lagoon.

Oba Just see how you degraded yourself and the throne of your forefathers.Who even made this tout an Oba.

He might not apologize as he's indirectly supportin Jimi Agbaje.

The Oba no try oh. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Anyways #SaiAmbode

He has embarrassed the throne and honestly if I were in his shoes, I'll just apologise whether I mean it or not (it's called pretence ) before the matter gets to ICC

The embarrassment is too much to leave uncleansed on a sacred throne

My 2cents

Hehehhehehe!
The mumu Akiolu don take himself do yeye!
His self-respect is down to 2% now.
An apology would drag it down to a %.
They should allow him to keep the 2% abeg.

Now tell me why wont i show respect for Falana and scorn @ the so called oba that knows not the implication of his statement with regard to constitutional provision? Certainly men of vast knowledge and wisdom are needed @ the helm. Kudos Falan u have spoken well.

It takes two to tango.

Oba Akinolu may not be right on this but the attitude of our Igbo brothers and sisters could frustrate one.

Having helped them more than what their region has done for them, instead of being grateful; their actions seem to be undermining the essence of our existence through their incendiary statements. Calling their hosts cowards- what do you want after that-fight to show we are not cowards.

Oba Akinolu is their match and that is why the situation seems difficult now.

A gentle king could be disobeyed easily but did they say anything at the palace? No. They dare not.

It was after leaving the palace that chest beating, ultimatum , etc started surfacing.

Who then is the cowards? Ta lo fe gbenan woju ekun lai f'eje we ( who wants to put light at the face of a tiger without being bathed with blood)

Remember, 'He who makes peaceful resolution difficult , has made violence inevitable.'

Middle finger for Oba akiolu... what an 1diot..
Lagos is a no man's land whether he agrees or not.
He should tender an apology or else....

I'm not a Yoruba person, but we all have freedom of speech, during the presidential election campaign, you know how many people insult Johnathan, did he ask any1 to apologies, abeg eeee, freedom of speech is allowed, na him get him mouth

Oba will do no such thing!

Oba must not apologize! Ibos can go to hell!!

The words of the OBA were harsh and sensitive. Revolution
is what shapes the world. When Agbaje wins, I would like to
see what he has to say. The Igbos are known for their
courage, intimidation will only boost their will to vote
Agbaje....The Oba and APC have done PDP a great favour...
Lagosians will now experience true change. #VoteAgbaje
and show you have no fear. My dear Igbos let them know
what revolution is.

No and no the Oba should not.
He own nobody that
ti too ba bale ko tun pada se nu mo.
Just go abut your normal business no body stop u
Vote any person u fill u want no wahala

Who were those clapping in the video?

Kudos to falana.









.

APC will loose Lagos due to this....

This Oba needs better flogging

Nonsense Oba

the Gods replaced his brains with amala,omepezie onu na ako bullsh.it

richgang:
I'm not a Yoruba person, but we all have freedom of speech, during the presidential election campaign, you know how many people insult Johnathan, did he ask any1 to apologies, abeg eeee, freedom of speech is allowed, na him get him mouth

Was there threat to lives of a particular tribe. The Oba singled out Igbos for genocide.

Go and flog the king of your town/village. Two wrong does not make a right; -+- = -


This Oba needs better flogging

If he refuses to apologise, we will begin an open season on him, and we shall desecrate any and everything he stands for. He's messing with the wrong people and at a very wrong time!

LubricatingOil:


"That short man called Ngige, we gave him power and he went and joined Awolowo’s people; the people that killed the Igbos" Arthur Eze

http://ynaija.com/ngige-joined-awolowos-people-who-killed-the-igbos-see-10-of-the-most-ridiculous-things-said-at-the-pdpanambra-rally-yesterday/

Arthur Eze is a nobody! Get over it already!!

I think say yorubas no dey fear igbo. Mehn, is it our fault that we are colonising lagos? The oyibos once colonised the whole of Africa yet Africans didn't challenge them the way yorubas are challenging us now

That should be after the Election


Jk

Change

One Nigeria!

veraponpo:

It takes two to tango.

Oba Akinolu may not be right on this but the attitude of our Igbo brothers and sisters could frustrate one.

Having helped them more than what their region has done for them, instead of being grateful; their actions seem to be undermining the essence of our existence through their incendiary statements. Calling their hosts cowards- what do you want after that-fight to show we are not cowards.

Oba Akinolu is their match and that is why the situation seems difficult now.

A gentle king could be disobeyed easily but did they say anything at the palace? No. They dare not.

It was after leaving the palace that chest beating, ultimatum , etc started surfacing.

Who then is the cowards? Ta lo fe gbenan woju ekun lai f'eje we ( who wants to put light at the face of a tiger without being bathed with blood)

Remember, 'He who makes peaceful resolution difficult , has made violence inevitable.'

We own you no gratitude; we prefer to be in our own country! There is nothing to be grateful to share a country with pathetic, envious, backstabbing lowlifes such as you!