Fiery Lagos-based human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, on Tuesday asked prominent Lagos monarch, Oba Rilwanu Akiolu, to immediately apologise to Igbo people resident in Lagos for threatening them with death within seven days should they refuse to vote for Akinwunmi Ambode, the candidate of his choice, in the governorship election in Lagos on Saturday.
Ironically too, the campaign office of Ambode has dissociated the governorship candidate from the controversial statement made by the monarch to honorary chiefs of the Igbo nation who are based in Lagos when the latter paid Akiolu a courtesy visit.
The Oba had said that, if Igbos resident in Lagos refuse to vote for Ambode, they would perish within seven days, further threatening that they would end up in the lagoon.
In a statement to journalists, Falana described the threat by the Oba as unacceptable in a country where the leaders are supposed to preach unity and national integration.
According to Falana, Oba Akiolu’s statement is illegal, clearly contravening Section 42 of the Constitution which prohibits discrimination on grounds of ethnicity, religion, political opinion, creed or sex.
Falana said: “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.
“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.
“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 Muhammadu 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 apologise publicly to the Igbo people without any delay.”
