The Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu, has declared that there would be no vacancy in the Presidential Villa for the next four or five years in open support for President Bola Tinubu’s bid for re-election in 2027.
Akiolu made the declaration when the Presidential Campaign Council of the All Progressives Congress, led by its Director-General, Abdulaziz Yari, visited his palace in Lagos to seek his support, prayers and advice ahead of the 2027 general election.
“For the next four or five years, there is no vacancy in Aso Rock,” the monarch said.
NaijaOnPoint reports that the declaration amounts to a rejection of the ambitions of opposition figures, including former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and former Anambra governor, Peter Obi, who are among the prominent politicians vying for the presidency in 2027.
Atiku is presidential candidate of African Action Congress (ADC), while Obi is the flag-bearer of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).
The monarch, however, urged political actors to ensure that the forthcoming election was conducted peacefully and in a manner that would serve the interests of Nigerians.
He charged members of the APC campaign council to remain truthful in their dealings and avoid conduct capable of threatening peace and stability in the country.
Akiolu also cautioned politicians against adopting the Machiavellian philosophy that “the end justifies the means” in their pursuit of electoral victory.
Earlier, Yari said the delegation was at the palace to obtain the monarch’s royal blessing, prayers and counsel as the campaign council prepares to commence nationwide activities.
According to him, the council had first visited the Sokoto Caliphate before proceeding to Lagos.
Yari appealed to Nigerians to support Tinubu for another term, arguing that the President deserved the opportunity to consolidate what he described as the achievements of his administration.
He cited the government’s interventions in the economy, security and infrastructure as some of the reasons for the council’s support for Tinubu’s re-election.
Acknowledging the economic hardship confronting Nigerians, Yari said there were indications of improvement in some areas, particularly efforts to stabilise the economy and improve the availability of funds.
On insecurity, the former Zamfara State governor said the Tinubu administration had continued to provide equipment and other support to the military and police.
Yari also recalled Tinubu’s support for the late former President Muhammadu Buhari during the latter’s political rise, particularly against the backdrop of the security challenges confronting the country.
He stressed that the council’s support for Tinubu was not based solely on political reciprocity but on its belief that the President should be given another opportunity to implement his programmes.
Yari added that APC campaign council members from the northern part of the country would work towards securing the region’s support for Tinubu in 2027.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos, who was also present, described the visit as significant, noting that the council had chosen to seek the Oba’s blessing immediately after its engagement in Sokoto.
Sanwo-Olu said the delegation included prominent Nigerians who had served as governors, Senate president, speakers and in other public offices.
He described Lagos as a major political centre and Nigeria’s commercial and economic nerve centre, saying the visit underscored the importance the APC attached to the traditional institution.
Meanwhile, the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rasidi Ladoja, has declared that he has no preferred candidate ahead of the 2027 Oyo State governorship election.
Ladoja spoke on Monday when the Peoples Democratic Party governorship candidate, Hazeem Gbolarumi, and his delegation visited him at his palace in Ibadan.
The monarch, who is a former governor of the state, said all the governorship candidates were his children and that he would not endorse any of them as his personal choice.
“I want you to know that all the candidates are from the same house. I have no anointed candidate. All of you are from the same house. All the gubernatorial candidates are from my house. You are children of the Olubadan,” he said.
Ladoja urged the candidates to conduct their campaigns peacefully and leave the outcome of the election to God.
He also warned politicians and their supporters against violence, stressing that political rivals could eventually become allies.
“Do not engage in violence. Your enemy today can be your best friend tomorrow,” the Olubadan said.
He prayed for the success of all the candidates and urged them to pursue their political ambitions without creating tension or instability in the state.
… 2027: ‘No Vacancy in Aso Rock’ – Oba of Lagos Tells Atiku, Peter Obi Read More on … NaijaOnPoint.
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