Group Supports The Endorsement of Ambode by Oba of Lagos

At the weekend,a group, the Protectors of Lagos' Legacy (PLL), came out stoutly to defend the Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwanu Akiolu I of Lagos, over his endorsement of Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode as a worthy successor to the present Governor of Lagos state, Mr Raji Babatunde Fashola (SAN). 

 This is coming on the heels of the criticism by an organization under the aegis of “Visioneer for new Lagos”, which the group described as faceless.
In a statement signed by Barrister Olatunji Williams, the Coordinator of the PLL, described Mr. Bambo Akin Johnson as a non-existent name in Lagos and that he lacks respect for culture that is synonymous with the Yoruba by insulting the highly revered traditional ruler like Oba of Lagos for exercising his constitutional right.

The PLL recalled that the Oba of Benin endorsed Comrade Oshiomhole in the last governorship election in Edo state and nobody in the entire Benin Kingdom and the entire Edo State insulted him. In fact, different traditional rulers in the country has been endorsing the incumbent President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, and nobody has poured such venomous insult as this faceless organization did on the Oba of Lagos.

"Oba Akiolu has only exercised his constitutional right as is the case all over the world and should not be made a butt of uncultured vituperation by some faceless people in the name of politics. It is noted that the revered Oba of Lagos in airing his opinion said that the All Progressive Congress(APC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and other political parties will still follow their party procedures to choose their candidates for the election; and that it is responsibilities of the entire people of Lagos to vote for the candidate of their choice," the statement read.

The PLL further said that Oba Akiolu was following the footsteps of his ancestors when he stood boldly on the side of the people against the invasion of Yorubaland and the injustice against Late Chief M.K.O Abiola by the military junta for the annulment of the June 12 election adjudged the freest and fairest election in Nigeria till date. The then Oba of Lagos handed a letter of protest to Chief Ernest Shonekan, the Head of the Interim Government, when he visited him in his palace and insisted Abiola and SDP won the election.

"We, the PLL, challenge this group to come out to address a press conference, instead of hiding behind a faceless organization to insult traditional rulers in the state. Indeed, the endorsement of Ambode by the Oba of Lagos and other traditional rulers in the state has sent jitters down the spine of these political jobbers as he remains the most outstanding and qualified candidate for the job of building on the legacy of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and Mr. Babatunde Fashola and moving Lagos to the next level. Our resolution is that Lagos will continue to move forward and never be captured by unprogressive forces of darkness," the statement concluded.