More facts have emerged on why Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, LP, did not pay a visit to Rilwan Akiolu, the Oba of Lagos.
Akiolu is a staunch supporter of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, and a former governor of the state, a fact not hidden to many acquainted with the politics of Nigeria’ s economic capital.
The LP candidate had a massive campaign in the state last week, but has also faced criticism for not paying homage to the traditional ruler.
As the most populous state in the country with a huge number of voters, not a few insist that Obi is banking on votes from the state to emerge winner in the February 25 presidential election.
The former governor of Anambra State have a large following in the state and many youths from the Centre of Excellence are believed to be rooting for him, as many also insist, that Lagos is a battle ground for the frontline presidential candidates, and will be one of the states to determine who wins the critical election in few days.
The failure to meet the first class traditional ruler, some supporters of Obi insist is likely to be used by his opponents against him, as he tries to galvanised voters support in the state.
“What they are trying to do is to project him as someone who has no respect for traditional rulers and customs. But from all you can see the former governor has proved time without number that he believes and respect our royal fathers,” one of his supporters said.
Also responding to the allegation that Obi shunned Oba Akiolu, Dayo Ekong, chairman of the party in the state, said Obi was prevented from seeing the traditional ruler.
Ekong who spoke on Arise Television on Monday said Obi had written a letter to Akiolu days ahead the campaign, but was turned down, on the pretext that Oba Akiolu was unavailable to see him.
Ekong said, “People should not say what they have no information about. Peter Obi respects culture. He visits traditional rulers in every state before going to campaign.
“In Lagos, he made attempts to see the Oba but was denied access. He write to the palace but the palace responded that the Oba was not available to receive him. He cannot cannot then drive to the palace when he’s been told that the Oba is not available.”
Meanwhile, Obi has met with a 15 year old boy, who went viral after a photograph of him standing in the front of the LP presidential candidate surfaced last Saturday.
Yusuf Alimi said during an interview that he blocked Obi’s convoy to show his support and love for him.
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