LAGOS 2015

Oba Rilwan Akiolu - I have asked God to bless APC’s Ambode, Oba of Lagos tells Jonathan

The monarch of Nigeria’s commercial capital of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu, on Thursday told President Goodluck Jonathan that he had already submitted the name of the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Akinwunmi Ambode for the blessing of God.

The Oba, who had publicly endorsed Ambode for the position last year, said that he had presented Ambode’s candidature for God’s blessing at the 2014 Hajj in Saudi Arabia.

Oba Akiolu said this when President Goodluck Jonathan and his team visited him at his palace. Jonathan was in Lagos to flag off his re-election campaign as the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party.

But Akiolu had soothing words for Jonathan.

He said notwithstanding his beseeching God to make Ambode governor of the state, God would always have the final say.

According to him, both Ambode and the PDP candidate, Jimi Agbaje are his children.

The monarch also defended President Jonathan against the criticisms against him by opposition politicians.

To Oba Akiolu, President Jonathan should not be held responsible for the problems of Nigeria.

Akiolu said that many of the problems in the country predated the Jonathan administration, adding
that fighting corruption is the responsibility of every Nigerian.

“What will be, will be; God Almighty will give the best person the opportunity to lead this country.

Mr President, God knows the best; I am happy; what I want are free and fair elections.

“I am happy that Mr President directed INEC to ensure that voters’ cards are distributed to every eligible member of the electorate,’’ he said.

He urged the INEC to ensure distribution of voters’ cards, saying that Lagos had more than six million eligible voters.

The royal father urged that security agents should not be unfairly used against any citizen during the general elections.

Akiolu accused former President Olusegun Obasanjo of not treating Lagos well during his administration and leaving many problems unsolved in the country.

Earlier, Jonathan said that he came to the palace to pay homage to the royal father and sought his prayers. — with Sunday Dare and Odunmbaku Cardinal Baba Eto.