Oba of Lagos Rilwan Akiolu has declared no vacancy in the Presidential Villa for the next four or five years, signalling support for President Bola Tinubu’s second-term bid.
Akiolu spoke when the APC Presidential Campaign Council, led by Director-General Abdulaziz Yari, visited his palace. He urged politicians to ensure the 2027 election is peaceful and conducted responsibly, warning against the Machiavellian principle that the end justifies the means.
Yari said the visit was the council’s first outing to seek the monarch’s blessings, prayers and advice ahead of nationwide campaigns. It had earlier visited the Sokoto Caliphate. He appealed for support for Tinubu, saying the President deserves another term to consolidate gains in economic management, insecurity and infrastructure. He acknowledged economic hardship but said indicators show improvement, including fund availability and stabilisation efforts. He defended Tinubu’s security record, citing support and equipment for the military and police, and recalled Tinubu’s past support for former President Muhammadu Buhari. He said support for Tinubu is not mere reciprocity. Northern council members, he assured, would work for his re-election.
Lagos Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu called the visit significant, noting the council came after Sokoto to seek royal blessing before wider political engagements. He described members as eminent Nigerians, including former governors, a former Senate President, former speakers and serving governors. He said Lagos remains a commercial, economic and political nerve centre, and the visit reflected the traditional institution’s importance. APC leaders, lawmakers and stakeholders attended.