In a significant and unexpected development, the Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu, has called upon presidential candidates Peter Obi of the Labour Party and Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to put aside their political rivalry and join forces with President Bola Tinubu for the betterment of the nation. The Oba emphasized that he firmly believes President Tinubu's leadership has received divine endorsement.
In an exclusive interview with The Punch, Oba Akiolu expressed his concerns about the challenges facing Nigeria, calling upon politicians to prioritize the welfare of the people over political squabbles. "Many things are happening to our country. Politicians don’t fight; they will settle later. All of them should come together and move Nigeria forward. The unemployed, let’s find jobs for them. Indiscipline and greed are our problems. We’re too far away from God. Any man who is contented, God will reward them," the traditional leader asserted.
When questioned about whether Obi and Atiku should collaborate with Tinubu, despite their intense political rivalry arising from the 2023 presidential election, Oba Akiolu unreservedly answered in the affirmative. He stressed the importance of unity among political leaders and highlighted his belief in the divine nature of President Tinubu's leadership.
The call for unity and collaboration comes in the wake of the Supreme Court's October decision, which upheld President Tinubu's electoral victory in the February 25 presidential election. The Supreme Court's affirmation of Tinubu's win put an end to legal challenges brought by Atiku and Obi. Notably, since the court's judgment, neither Atiku nor Obi has congratulated President Tinubu, leaving the political landscape ripe for speculation and intrigue.
