The Oba of Lagos, HRM Rilwan Akiolu, on Saturday charged state chairmen of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to uphold honesty, integrity and selfless service, warning against the monetisation of politics while expressing confidence that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu would secure a second term in office.
The monarch gave the charge when he received members of the APC State Chairmen’s Forum, led by Lagos APC Chairman and Forum Chairman, Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi, at the Iga Idunganran Palace on Lagos Island.
Akiolu urged party leaders to put national interest above personal gain, stressing that sincerity, accountability and dedication to service remain the hallmarks of good leadership.
“Go to your various states and work hard with sincerity and honesty. Those who are not doing it for monetary gains should remain steadfast,” the monarch said.
He urged the party leaders to focus on improving the lives of Nigerians rather than seeking financial rewards from politics, noting that genuine leadership must be driven by service.
While acknowledging Nigeria’s security and economic challenges, Akiolu appealed to citizens not to lose hope but to remain united and continue praying for the nation’s progress.
The royal father also declared that no political manoeuvre would stop President Tinubu from winning another term in office.
“No matter any manoeuvre, Asiwaju is going to emerge president in the next coming election,” he said.
He, however, urged Nigerians to pray for the President’s good health, peace and national unity, stressing that the country’s future ultimately rests in God’s hands.
The monarch also appealed to journalists to uphold the ethics of the profession through accurate and responsible reporting, saying constructive journalism strengthens democracy and national development.
Quoting former President Goodluck Jonathan, Akiolu reminded politicians that governance should prioritise development over electoral calculations.
“My good friend, former President Goodluck Jonathan always says politicians think of the next election, while statesmen think of growth and development,” he stated.
He condemned vote-buying and the monetisation of politics, warning that both practices undermine democracy and the credibility of elections, while urging eligible Nigerians to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and participate actively in the electoral process.
Speaking on behalf of the delegation, Edo State APC Chairman, Jarrett Tenebe, assured the monarch that APC leaders across the country were intensifying mobilisation efforts to strengthen the party ahead of future elections.
He said the state chairmen had resolved to deliver even greater electoral support for President Tinubu, revealing that the APC in Edo State was targeting 2.5 million votes for the President in the next presidential election.
“We are working in our various states to ensure we deliver even more votes than the President received in the last election,” Tenebe said.
He thanked the Oba of Lagos for his royal blessings, expressing confidence that they would inspire party members nationwide.
The APC State Chairmen’s Forum also toured some of Lagos’ landmark infrastructure projects, including the Lekki Free Zone (LFZ) and the Lagos Rail Mass Transit (LRMT) Blue Line, describing them as enduring legacies of President Tinubu’s tenure as Governor of Lagos State.
Led by Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi, the forum said the projects reflected Tinubu’s foresight and demonstrated the impact of long-term planning, policy continuity and visionary leadership.
During a visit to the Lekki Free Zone, Ojelabi described the industrial hub as one of Nigeria’s greatest economic success stories, noting that a vision once criticised had evolved into a major driver of industrialisation, investment and employment.
He likened the establishment of the Free Zone to the removal of fuel subsidy, describing both as bold decisions whose long-term benefits are becoming increasingly evident.
According to him, the Lekki Free Zone now provides employment for about 22,000 people, with Nigerians making up about 80 per cent of the workforce, while significantly boosting revenue for all three tiers of government.
Ojelabi urged APC chairmen to encourage their state governments to replicate the Lagos economic model by creating investment-friendly environments capable of generating jobs and accelerating development.
Secretary of the Forum and Nasarawa APC Chairman, Dr. Aliyu Bello, described the visit as an eye-opener, saying industrialisation remained key to tackling unemployment and insecurity across the country.
The delegation also visited the Marina Rail Station, where Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) Managing Director, Mrs. Abimbola Akinajo, briefed members on the operations and strategic importance of the Lagos Rail Mass Transit Blue Line.
The forum praised President Tinubu for conceiving the Lagos Strategic Transport Master Plan, describing it as a visionary blueprint that successive administrations have faithfully implemented.
Ojelabi commended LAMATA for its professionalism and commitment to delivering an integrated transport system, describing the Blue Line as compelling evidence that continuity in governance produces lasting results.
“What we have seen today is a clear demonstration that when leaders plan with the future in mind and successive administrations remain committed to implementing those plans, the people become the ultimate beneficiaries. The Lagos Rail Mass Transit Blue Line is a legacy project that should inspire other states across the federation,” he said.
The APC chairmen later boarded the Blue Line train from Marina to Mile 2, expressing satisfaction with the comfort, safety and efficiency of Nigeria’s first intra-city electric rail system.
Responding, LAMATA Managing Director, Mrs. Abimbola Akinajo, reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to providing a safe, reliable and sustainable transport system that meets global standards.
She attributed the achievements recorded in Lagos’ transport sector to deliberate planning, institutional continuity and the unwavering commitment of successive state administrations to implementing the transport master plan.
The APC State Chairmen’s Forum also visited the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, Lagos Deep Sea Port and Eko Atlantic City, where members applauded the scale of infrastructure development and described Lagos as a model for economic transformation and sustainable urban development in Nigeria.
