President Tinubu and Governor Abiodun Honor Late Awujale at Fidau Prayer in Ogun State

Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State – July 20, 2025 – President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, alongside Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun, attended the eighth-day Fidau prayer ceremony for the late Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, at the Dipo Dina Stadium in Ijebu-Ode. The revered monarch, who passed away on July 13, 2025, at 91 after a 65-year reign, was celebrated for his legacy of unity, cultural preservation, and philanthropy.

President Tinubu, joined by First Lady Oluremi Tinubu and Minister of Aviation Olorogun Festus Keyamo, arrived at the Gateway International Airport, Iperu, marking his first visit to the facility since taking office. Governor Dapo Abiodun, accompanied by his wife Bamidele Abiodun, led the reception alongside Nigeria Governors’ Forum Chairman AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, former Ogun State Governor Aremo Olusegun Osoba, Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji, and prominent traditional rulers.

The event highlighted the strong relationship between President Tinubu and Governor Abiodun, both key figures in the All Progressives Congress (APC). Abiodun, who has championed infrastructure and cultural initiatives in Ogun State, praised the late Awujale for his contributions to unity and economic growth, notably through the Ojude Oba festival and the Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona School of Governance Studies. Tinubu echoed this, calling the monarch a “towering figure” and reflecting on their decade-long friendship, further strengthened by his earlier conferment of the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON) on Oba Adetona.

Governor Abiodun’s leadership was evident in the event’s organization, with the Ogun State Government urging residents to pray for the royal family, fostering community solidarity. The joint appearance of Tinubu and Abiodun underscored their political alignment and shared commitment to honoring Nigeria’s traditional institutions, reinforcing APC’s regional influence. Social media reactions on X, including posts from @Voluwaseun1 and @voiceofnigeria, commended the leaders’ presence as a mark of respect.

However, the visit occurred amid political undercurrents, with former President Olusegun Obasanjo criticizing Tinubu’s administration in Abeokuta on July 19 over economic and security challenges. Despite this, the Fidau prayer remained a unifying moment, with Tinubu and Abiodun emphasizing Oba Adetona’s legacy as a bridge between tradition and progress, strengthening their collaborative efforts to advance Ogun State and Nigeria.