Recall that SaharaReporters had reported how MC Oluomo allegedly issued a threat to Igbo people to stay at home during the governorship election in Lagos on March 18 if they did not want to vote for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) candidates.
Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, the Deputy Governor of Lagos State, has called for the prosecution of Musiliu Akinsanya, also known as MC Oluomo, the Chairman of the Lagos State Parks Management Committee, if he is found guilty of breaking any law in connection with his alleged threats against Igbo during the run-up to the state governorship election.
Recall that SaharaReporters had reported how MC Oluomo allegedly issued a threat to Igbo people to stay at home during the governorship election in Lagos on March 18 if they did not want to vote for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) candidates.
This was seen in a viral video in which the loyalist was addressing a gathering and warning their Igbo neighbours not to bother going to the polling units if they intended to vote for candidates other than the ruling party.
Following criticism, MC Oluomo, attempted to clarify his remarks, claiming that he spoke in a playful tone and was addressing a lady named "Iya Chukwudi," not the Igbo in Lagos.
However, Hamzat, who appeared live on Channels Television's Sunrise Daily, stated that MC Oluomo must face the law if evidence points to his guilt.
Asked if he saw reason in the calls for the arrest of the APC supporter, the deputy governor said, “I’m not calling for the arrest of anybody. I’m not a police officer; I’m not a prosecutor. People will look at the evidence.
“In the case of MC Oluomo, he has come out to say that he was actually referring to one woman that is Mama Chinedu, or something like that. There’s a video that shows that and that woman said, ‘He was talking to me and we’ve been friends or he’s been my customer for years.’
“[She said] that he was talking to her. So, I don’t know the facts, but people should examine the facts and if in truth he has broken the law, of course, he must pay for it. It’s as simple as ABC.”
He added that it is “very unfortunate” that voters were profiled on election day and that people were not allowed to vote because of what they looked like.
“That’s absolute nonsense. If it happened and there are videos, people should be arrested and prosecuted. That’s the bottom line,” he said.
Speaking about audio clips of APC executive council members in the state allegedly threatening non-voters, Hamzat admitted that some supporters were overzealous.
“Some people take things overboard, which is terrible. I have friends in Alaba Market. I was at Alaba Market and it was fun. There were Igbo APC members.
“So, for anybody to go and say, ‘Because you’re Igbo, you won’t vote,’ it’s just ridiculous. So, anybody that does that should be prosecuted. Bottomline. If it’s a crime, then people should pay for it.
“To assume that because someone is from one ethnic group, he’s going to vote one way is stupid,” he said.