Coalition calls for investigation into alleged Rhodes-Vivour, IPOB link

Omoluabi Coalition Group has called on the Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG), Lagos command to launch an investigation into links between the Lagos State governorship candidate of the Labour Party, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour and the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

Director General of the Coalition, Tunji Balogun in a petition addressed to the command also called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to immediately disqualify Gbadebo amidst his alleged confessional committal statement in a live broadcast television interview circulating on social media to having direct operational links with IPOB as one it’s pivotal commander in Lagos State.

Petition reads: “With sublime respect the Leadership of the Omoluabi Coalition Group is aghast to unequivocally reiterate to write through your good office for onward investigation of all causa links and prosecution of Mr Gbadebo Chinedu Patrick Rhodes Vivour, Labour Party Gubernatorial Candidate in Lagos State.

“While also using this medium to alert the general public and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to immediately disqualify him, amidst his confessional committal statement in a live broadcast television interview circulating on social media to having direct operational links with IPOB as one it’s pivotal commander in Lagos State, which caused monumental destruction to lives and properties, including beheading of policemen, burning down of courts, hotels, police stations, buses to mention a few during the protracted #Endsars premeditated orchestrated evil in connivance with Mazi Nnamdi Kanu(MNK).

“It was crystal clear to see Mr Chinedu Rhodes Vivour in a live video admitting his participation in the most heinous and notorious dastard crime, a similar nafarious criminality perpetrated by the House of Representatives Leader, Hon. Doguwa in Kano State who had earlier threatened to kill if not elected.

“And regrettably he eventually manifested, burnt alive and killed innocent Nigerians during that last 25th of February Presidential and National Assembly Elections, a similar scenerios is already breading in Lagos State as a result of the Akere Market burning in Olodi Apapa, which he Patrick Rhodes Vivour quickly donated huge amount of money early hours of the conscripted crime, a mission we see to be symptoms of IPOB-ESN trademarks of sorrows, tears and blood.

“We hereby call the attention of the Inspector General of Police and your good office to arrest and prosecute the Labour Party Gubernatorial Candidate, Mr Gbadebo Chinedu Rhodes Vivour, in gross contravention of the Terrorism Acts and other statutory Laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“We are equally aware of Gbadebo’s treacherous, deceitful narratives deliberately calculated at causing Ethnic tensions and war between the Yoruba and Igbos in Lagos State, intentionally aimed at ensuring distabilizing the peaceful conduct of the 18th March, 2023 Gubernatorial and State House of Assembly Elections in Lagos State.

“We hereby use this medium to sound as a note of caution that in as much as we (Yorubas) are pleased to accommodate and working with all ethnic groups, particularly the Igbo extractions, most of whom we shared common religious, social and marital affinities, we reiterate that no one should be used as a political conduit tool to overide and abuse the Yoruba uncommon hospitable magnanimity and take our unreserved love for good neighborliness and respect for granted.

“For the umpteenth time, it has come to our subconscious notion with highest serial disdain on the notorious display of disrespect to the Yoruba heritage and tradition by some disgruntled elements who are threatening and ready to cause Electoral violence, mostly of Igbo extractions domiciled and trading businesses in Lagos unimpeded.

“We are further confounded and disappointed in the Rhodes Vivour’s brandishing of his ethnic bigotry as a bait of turmultious attacks rather than embark on his Governorship campaign inorder to causing crises and ethnic tensions via gaining negative media uproar and sympathy .

“It is on this premise we wish to seek the intervention of your good office call all our Igbo brothers, other non indigenous groups and town unions to order via an emergency peaceful meeting preferably Friday 17th March, 2023 ahead of the Election.

“While advising to avoid seditious and provocative statements capable at heating up the polity and erupting volcanic tensions, and as well asked the pivots of war mongering through their Social media platforms to thread with extreme caution not to provoking the gentility of the Yoruba people to anger considering everyone’s legitimate franchise right at polls, and most importantly the Igbo quest to campaign for their clan town man choice of Mr Gbadebo Chinedu Rhodes Vivour of the Labour Party.

“Regrettably, this trajectory could negatively affect the future and make the Yoruba people rethink our uncommon love, accommodating spirit and unwavering commitments to embrace thier neighbours from other ethnic backgrounds.

“Yoruba indigenous states Lagos is in Yoruba Land is absolutely not a No Man’s Land as propounded by some Igbo elements.

“We express high level of fear over the continuous campaign of hatred against the Yoruba people in Lagos State via series of deceitful videos taunting Yoruba, is most ridiculous taint on the intelligence of the peace loving Yoruba people.

“Our Igbo brothers and sisters have continuously enjoyed reciprocity of respect and harmonious habitation, most importantly we have allowed their business in various sectors and making Lagos another home for all Nigerians particularly the Igbos unimpeded.

“We shall appreciate your accelerated approval of our Petition and ensure detailed investigation and prosecution accordingly.”