April 21, (THEWILL)- As earlier stated last week, this season has seen several prominent personalities who were hitherto at loggerheads embracing reconciliation. From businessman, Femi Otedola and banker, Tony Elumelu to businessman Cosmas Maduka and politician/businessman, Ifeanyi Ubah, it doesn’t look like the list is ending anytime soon. Joining the list is none other than the paramount ruler of Lagos State, Oba Rilwan Akiolu and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Recall that THEWILL exclusively reported that the duo at some point weren’t in very good terms over an undisclosed issue which could have snowballed and possibly threatened the foundations of the centre of excellence where both hold sway, in their respective capacities. Reliable sources had disclosed that their close relationship may have been tested on account of Akiolu’s father/son relationship with Akinwunmi Ambode, a former governor of Lagos State.
Not even when Ambode was in political wilderness did their close relationship wane. Akiolu manifested how much Ambode meant to him during the period the former governor’s second term gubernatorial ambition was threatened and finally cut short by Tinubu. The former police officer turned traditional ruler did everything within his power to get Tinubu to rescind his decision to deny Ambode a second term ticket. He made several trips to Tinubu’s house in an attempt to iron things with the former governor of the state and consulted with many others that mattered in the political circle across the state and beyond, to help save Ambode’s job.
But it was all an effort in futility, a situation that badly affected Akiolu who felt pained that he couldn’t use his position as a first-class king to broker a truce between the two warring parties. Well, Tinubu has since called a truce with Ambode and even offered him a seat on Governance Advisory Council. By extension, he also mended fences with Akiolu. During the last Sallah holidays, the president and the traditional ruler were photographed cozying up to each other when the latter paid him a visit at his Lagos home. Both were relaxed as they took time catching up on happenings.
Ivory Ukonu is a versatile journalist with many years of experience, with entertainment and society reporting as her area of core competence.
