Oba Akiolu Renews Call For Special Status For Lagos

Lagos monarch, Oba Rilwan Akiolu, has renewed call that the state should be given a special status in view of its population, its status as the nation’s former capital and the fact that it is home to almost all the nationalities in the country.

Oba Akiolu also called on Nigerians, particularly Lagosians to ensure the return of President Muhammadu Buhari, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa and Hon Wasiu Eshinlokun-Sanni in the 2019 general elections.

The quartet are: the President of Nigeria, Governor of Lagos State, the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly and the Deputy Speaker of same Assembly respectively.

Oba Akiolu said the position of Lagos was crucial, describing it as a mini Nigeria, even as he stressed that the incumbent governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, had been doing very well in piloting the affairs of the state, commending him for continuing of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed.

The monarch spoke when members of the Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria led by the host, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa, Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, paid him a courtesy visit in his palace.

The Speakers were in Lagos State for their annual conference holding in the state this year.

Oba Akiolu appealed to the Speakers to ensure that peace reigned in the country, stressing, “I am not in support of any political party. I was instrumental to the release of Obanikoro and Ogunlewe, who were members of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), when they were unjustly remanded in prison custody. Please, let us ensure that Nigeria does not break.”

“Ambode is doing well. So, he should return for second term. The Speaker and his deputy would return to continue with the good work,” he said.

Rt. Hon. Isamaila Kamba, chairman of the conference and Speaker of Kebbi Sate House of Assembly, said his coming to Lagos State was like a home coming because the Oba was a Commissioner of Police when he was a Commissioner of Agriculture in Kebbi State.

He said he was sure the monarch would play a fatherly role based on his antecedents, adding that they came to Lagos to deliberate on national issues, local government autonomy for legislators.

He appealed to the royal father to use his office to ensure the implementation of the bill on local government autonomy when it was passed.