The Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu, has ruled out the possibility of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar ever becoming Nigeria’s president.
Speaking with a Nigerian Tribune reporter and other selected journalists at his Iga Iduganran Palace during a media session to mark his 82nd birthday and 22 years on the throne, the monarch stated that destiny would not favour Atiku, who was the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 general election and has made several attempts to occupy the nation’s highest office.
He noted that President Bola Tinubu’s rise to power was divinely ordained and urged Nigerians to support him in achieving his vision for the country.
“The future belongs to God. But let me say it plainly: former Vice President Atiku Abubakar will never be President of Nigeria. Tinubu is compassionate and visionary. Who would have believed he’d become president? He presented his certificate to me first after winning. Lagosians and Nigerians should support him to fulfil God’s purpose for the country.”
Reflecting on his relationship with the president, he recalled predicting Tinubu’s eventual emergence as president shortly after becoming Oba in 2003, expressing confidence that the president would complete his tenure successfully.
He said, “I’m not a politician, but I always tell them that politicians don’t fight; they only disagree. God deliberately chose Bola Ahmed Tinubu for Nigeria. On May 23, 2003, the day I received my certificate of office, I told God that Tinubu would one day be president. He made Lagos proud and will complete his term by God’s grace. Everything in life has an end; only God gives longevity.”
On the development of Lagos, Akiolu said the state remains a land of opportunity but continues to experience enormous infrastructural strain.
He renewed his long-standing call for Lagos to be granted special status, emphasising that the city’s economic importance and unique position warrant federal recognition.
“Lagos is blessed. If you come here poor, your condition can change for the better. That’s why I keep advocating for Lagos to be granted special status. The pressure on infrastructure is enormous. I’ve written to the Attorney-General on this matter. In 1956, Oba Adeniji Adele wrote to the British Colonial Secretary about Lagos’ unique position. Giving Lagos a special status is long overdue; it is due for federal recognition.”
1SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER NOW
Support MATAZ ARISING’ journalism of integrity and credibility.
Good journalism ensure the possibility of a good society, an accountable democracy, and a transparent government.
We ask you to consider making a modest support to this noble endeavour.
TEXT AD: To advertise here – Email ad@matazarising.com
LATEST POSTS
-
How President Tinubu is redrawing South-East’s political map
MaTaZ ArIsInGDallas, Texas When the 2023 presidential election results were announced, many analysts and commentators gave a largely unanimous verdict regarding the voting pattern in the South-East. The region had voted almost entirely along the ethnic line. The figures told part of the story: Mr Peter Obi of the Labour Party swept the zone with over…
-
Lagos 2027: I never agreed to one term as governor – Hamzat
MaTaZ ArIsInGDallas, Texas Lagos State Deputy Governor and the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate for the 2027 election, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, has dismissed speculation that he entered into an agreement to serve only one term if elected governor, insisting there was never such an arrangement. Speaking in an interview, Hamzat described the claim as…
-
Tinubu Has Finally Adopted My 2-Decade-Old Power Blueprint, Atiku Claims
MaTaZ ArIsInGDallas, Texas Former Vice President of Nigeria and Presidential Candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has claimed that the President Bola Tinubu administration has only now embraced an electricity policy direction he advocated more than two decades ago, arguing that the government spent nearly three years worsening Nigeria’s power crisis before…
