Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, LP, has given a reason for his inability to meet the Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu, when he visited the state for his campaign rally.
Obi during an interview on Channels Television on Monday refuted claims that he deliberately refused to visit the Oba, noting that the traditional ruler was not readily available.
There have been suggestions that the Lagos traditional ruler refused Obi’s request to visit the palace during the LP presidential campaign rally.
Obi visited some places in Lagos State on Saturday and held a rally at the Tafawa Balewa Square in Onikan, Lagos.
The LP presidential candidate, on Monday took his campaign to Computer Village and Ladipo spare parts in Lagos State.
Speaking on why he didn’t visit the Obi of Lagos, the former Anambra State governor said reports that Akiolu refused to see him were “untrue”.
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He said, “I have lived in Lagos for a very long time and everybody knows that I have the utmost respect for the Oba of Lagos.
“And I have always done so to every other traditional ruler.
“Everybody knows that on my arrival in Lagos, I did ask that I want to visit the Oba, who I regarded as a father figure anytime and anywhere.
“Some even said ‘oh, he refused to see me or he did not want to see’. It is not true.
“The truth is that when we arrived, we wanted to do what we used to do — arrive, drive to the palace, and see the Oba.
“And we were told that he is not readily available and that we should apply and come at some other date. And that we intend to do because he remains a highly respected father to me and to the entire nation. There is no issue with that.”
Source: Cable