‘No vacancy in Aso Rock for four or five years’ — Oba of Lagos backs Tinubu for second term

Rilwan Akiolu, the Oba of Lagos, has declared his support for President Bola Tinubu’s bid for a second term, saying there will be no vacancy in Aso Rock for the next four or five years.

Akiolu spoke when the presidential campaign council (PCC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC), led by its director-general, Abdulaziz Yari, paid him a courtesy visit at his palace in Lagos.

“For the next four or five years, there is no vacancy in Aso Rock,” the monarch said.

The Oba urged politicians to ensure that the 2027 general election is peaceful and conducted in a manner that benefits Nigerians.

He also advised members of the APC campaign council to be honest in their dealings and avoid actions capable of undermining peace and stability in the country.

Akiolu cautioned politicians against adopting the Machiavellian principle that “the end justifies the means” in pursuing electoral victory.

Speaking earlier, Yari said the delegation visited the monarch to seek his blessing, prayers and advice ahead of the council’s nationwide campaign activities.

He said the council had earlier visited the Sokoto caliphate before proceeding to Lagos.

Yari appealed for continued support for Tinubu, saying the council believes the president deserves another term to consolidate what he described as the gains of his administration.

He cited the administration’s efforts to address economic challenges, insecurity and infrastructure development as reasons for the council’s support.

Yari acknowledged the economic difficulties facing Nigerians but said some indicators showed improvement, particularly in the availability of funds and efforts to stabilise the economy.

On insecurity, the former governor of Zamfara said Tinubu had continued to provide support and equipment for the military and police.

He also recalled that Tinubu had supported the emergence of the late former President Muhammadu Buhari because of the security challenges facing the country at the time.

Yari said the council’s support for Tinubu is not merely political reciprocity but is based on its belief that the president should be allowed to continue implementing his plans for the country.

He added that members of the council from the north would work to secure the region’s support for Tinubu’s re-election.

Receiving the delegation, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, governor of Lagos, described the visit as significant, noting that the council had chosen to seek the Oba’s royal blessing immediately after its engagement in Sokoto.

Sanwo-Olu said the delegation comprised eminent Nigerians who had served in various capacities, including former governors, a former senate president, former speakers and serving governors.

He described Lagos as a key political centre and the country’s commercial and economic nerve centre, saying the visit demonstrated the importance the APC attached to the traditional institution.

The event was attended by APC leaders and stakeholders in Lagos, including local government chairmen, members of the National Assembly and state lawmakers.