‘I was only joking’ — MC Oluomo recants threat against Igbo voters in Lagos

Musiliu Akinsanya, chairman of the Lagos parks and garages, has denied that he issued a threat against voters who would not vote for the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Saturday’s elections.

On Thursday, a video appeared on social media in which Akinsanya was heard saying that Igbo people who do not want to vote for the party in the Lagos governorship election should stay at home.

Akinsanya, popularly known as MC Oluomo, made the comments while addressing his supporters at an event in Lagos.

“We have begged them. If they don’t want to vote for us, it is not a fight. Tell them, Mama Chukwudi, if you don’t want to vote for us, sit down at home. Sit down at home,” MC Oluomo spoke in Yoruba in the viral video.

The comment elicited criticism on and off social media as many Nigerians asked security operatives to arrest MC Oluomo.

Speaking in a video on Friday, Akinsanya said his comment that generated controversy is a playful remark with his sister, whose name is “Iya Chukwudi”, adding that he was not referring to Igbo people residing in Lagos.

The transport union leader said he has always been on the “side of peace” in his activities.

“The meeting I went to yesterday, the person I was referring to is my sister – Iya Chukwudi. I was referring to Iya Chukwudi, saying if you will not vote for APC, please sit down at home,” he said.

“I saw it on social media that people were saying MC said something. I’m always on the side of peace. If you look at Lagos state, there is peace.

“Why will I say people should not come out to vote? If people don’t come out to vote, how will APC win the election? How will Igbo and Hausa not vote for APC? APC is my party. Count me out of the viral reports. The person I was referring to was at the meeting.

“I was only joking. I did not threaten Igbo. Please ask Igbo in Oshodi, they will tell you that I did not threaten any Igbo.”

In the video, a woman who identified herself as Iya Chukwudi said she was the one Akinsaya mentioned in the viral video, adding that the APC chieftain is her long-time customer.