Inside Tinubu's meeting with new Alaafin in Abuja – What really happened
President Bola Tinubu on Friday threw his weight behind Nigeria’s royal institutions, declaring them critical partners in his government’s drive to deliver prosperity, unity, and reform.
Hosting the newly crowned 46th Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Abdulhakeem Owoade I, at the Presidential Villa, Tinubu called on traditional leaders to take a front-row seat in the country’s transformation.
“This throne you sit on is divine,” Tinubu told the monarch. “Just like my presidency—it is the will of the Almighty.”
The President congratulated the young monarch for emerging as Alaafin with dignity, praising his humility, cultural pride, and commitment to the Yoruba heritage—even from abroad.
“You have lifted the name of Oyo, even while in Canada,” Tinubu said. “Now, you return home to carry the legacy forward. The Yoruba race has a future in your hands.”
The royal visit, which included the monarch’s wife, Abiwumi, and a host of top Oyo traditional rulers, was rich in pageantry but also purpose. Tinubu used the moment to call for deeper collaboration with traditional institutions, saying Nigeria’s future demands shared responsibility.
“This is not a job for one man,” he said. “Our unity, stability, and prosperity depend on inclusive governance. The palace and the presidency must work together.”
The President revealed that sons of the Oyo kingdom—Ambassador Victor Adeleke and Colonel Nurudeen Alowonle Yusuf—have made him proud in Aso Rock, further tying the Yoruba royal legacy to the heart of national leadership.
On his part, Alaafin Owoade I struck a statesmanlike tone, pledging loyalty to the Tinubu-led administration and calling for a national rebirth founded on justice, equity, and inclusive development.
“You have conquered many battles with courage and compassion,” the monarch said. “Today, Nigerians are hungry for a new vision—one that brings hope, fairness, and progress to every corner of this nation. Oyo stands with you. The Yoruba are ready. Nigeria is ready.” Nigeria: Nigerian fashion
The Alaafin praised the President for “bold steps” in revamping the economy, empowering youth, and prioritising security, adding that Nigeria’s renaissance would require synergy between time-honoured royal wisdom and modern statecraft.
“National transformation cannot rest on government alone,” the king said. “It must come from a marriage of heritage and innovation, of palace and policy.”
With traditional rulers now being positioned as stakeholders in Nigeria’s democratic journey, Friday’s encounter at Aso Rock signals a renewed alliance between crown and country—one Tinubu insists is essential for lasting peace and progress.
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