The Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu I, has thrown his weight behind President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s bid for a second term, declaring that there is “no vacancy in Aso Rock” ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Akiolu made the declaration on Monday when Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and the Director-General of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council, Senator Abdul’aziz Yari, led a delegation to his Iga-Iduganran Palace in Lagos Island to seek his royal blessings ahead of the elections.
The delegation included Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, and other members of the APC Presidential Campaign Council.
The visit formed part of the council’s strategic consultations with traditional and religious leaders across the country as it begins preparations for the 2027 general elections.
Sanwo-Olu, who led the delegation to the palace after receiving the campaign council members at the airport, described the team as a group of experienced Nigerians comprising former Senate Presidents, governors, speakers and senior party leaders.
He said Lagos was a natural starting point for the council’s nationwide consultations, while acknowledging the role of traditional rulers in promoting peace, unity and national development.
Earlier, Yari said the delegation was at the palace to pay homage to the Oba and seek his royal blessing and support ahead of the 2027 elections.
Yari also reflected on the emergence of the APC coalition and praised Tinubu’s political resilience and leadership.
Highlighting the President’s record, Yari recalled Tinubu’s political battles as a former governor and his efforts to build political structures that eventually contributed to the emergence of the APC as a national ruling party.
He contrasted the Tinubu administration’s long-term economic vision with the 16-year governance record of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), urging party members and media representatives to focus on communicating the government’s achievements and policy initiatives.
Yari said Tinubu had the capacity to address key national challenges, including currency stability, inflation and infrastructure development, despite limited resources.
He added that the campaign would focus on communicating the administration’s plans for business growth, youth empowerment and national security, expressing confidence in victory at the polls.
“Asiwaju Bola Tinubu is a foundational leader who has laid the foundation, who has done the structural work necessary for this country to develop, not just for the next 10 years, but as far as 25 years and 30 years,” Yari said.
He added: “That we have a President who himself fought for democracy in general and supported him for eight years, but who himself is now on the throne as the Generalissimo of Nigerian politics, and we have evidence to show.”
Speaking at the palace, Akiolu called on Nigerians, irrespective of their religious affiliations, to unite around honesty, hard work, critical thinking and sincerity of purpose.
The monarch also called for peaceful politics, stressing that political disagreements should not translate into permanent hostility.
“Politicians don’t fight; they only disagree to agree later,” Akiolu said.
He illustrated the point with a Yoruba saying, “Kosi ba re e d’aso onino se o, ore e go se be ni” (There is no fixed hostility in politics; yesterday’s adversary can become today’s ally).
Akiolu also spoke warmly about his longstanding relationship with Tinubu, recalling that his nomination as Oba of Lagos was officially approved by the Lagos State Government in May 2003, during Tinubu’s tenure as governor.
The monarch commended the progress recorded in Lagos under successive administrations and praised Sanwo-Olu and Hamzat for sustaining the state’s infrastructural development.
Turning to the 2027 presidential contest, Akiolu declared his support for Tinubu’s re-election bid.
“One important thing that I know very well is that for the next four or five years, there is no vacancy in Aso Rock,” he said.
The monarch also prayed for a smooth and successful political journey for Tinubu and the APC, saying, “Insha Allah, it shall be smooth, failure-free, and error-free. No hazardous errors.”
However, Akiolu used the occasion to renew his call for Lagos State to be granted special status, citing the state’s enormous responsibilities as Nigeria’s commercial hub.
He said Lagos bears a significant infrastructural and population burden by accommodating millions of Nigerians and other residents daily, regardless of their state or ethnic backgrounds.
Drawing from his experience as a former Commissioner of Police, Akiolu stressed the importance of integrity, careful reflection and financial prudence in public service.
He urged public officials and citizens to prioritise honesty, responsible leadership and forward planning for future generations.
The monarch assured the delegation of his continued prayers for peace, good governance and national development, while urging the federal government to provide dedicated support for Lagos to sustain its rapid development.
