Oba Akiolu backs Tinubu’s re-election, says ‘no vacancy’ in Aso Rock

By Adeola Ogunrinde

The Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu, on Monday threw his weight behind President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid, declaring that there would be no vacancy in the Presidential Villa for the next four or five years.

The monarch made the declaration when the Director-General of the All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council, Abdulaziz Yari, led members of the council on a courtesy visit to his palace in Lagos.

While urging politicians to approach the 2027 general election responsibly, Akiolu called for a peaceful electoral process that would serve the interests of Nigerians.

He also cautioned the campaign council against conduct that could threaten the country’s peace and stability, urging its members to remain honest and avoid the belief that the end justifies the means.

Earlier, Yari said the delegation visited Lagos to seek the monarch’s blessing, prayers and counsel ahead of the council’s nationwide campaign activities.

He said the council believed Tinubu deserved a second term to consolidate his administration’s efforts in the economy, security and infrastructure, while acknowledging the economic difficulties still confronting Nigerians.

Meanwhile, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu described the visit as significant, noting that the campaign council had made the Oba’s palace one of its early stops after its engagement with the Sokoto Caliphate. He said the visit underscored Lagos’ strategic importance as Nigeria’s commercial and economic nerve centre and a major political hub.

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