Two prominent Nigerian leaders but fierce strange bedfellows, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and former President Olusegun Obasanjo united at the weekend by wearing the same ‘aso ebi’ to honour Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun over the opening of Gateway International Airport, Iperu Ilishan, Ogun State.

This was in the presence of other prominent Nigerian leaders across party lines including the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, past and present governors.

Tinubu and Obasanjo have always been political foes. When he was president under the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Tinubu was governor of Lagos State under Alliance for Democracy (AD) which transmuted to Action Congress (AC), and later Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN). Every effort by PDP under the leadership of Obasanjo to take over Lagos State vehemently resisted by Tinubu who fought tooth and nail to keep the state for his party. In 2003 when PDP overrun the Southwest States like Ogun, Ondo,Oyo, Osun, and Ekiti, Tinubu frustrated Obasanjo’s effort. Seen him to be alone, Obasanjo persuaded Tinubu to join PDP. He refused and Lagos paid dearly for that refusal. Tinubu however bore all the pain. He later formed an alliance with other parties to form All Progressives Congress(APC). APC wrestled power out of the hands of PDP and produced late Muhammadu Buhari (2015-2023), from whom Tinubu took over as President via the 2023 presidential elections.

It was therefore a pleasant surprise for many to see both leaders wearing the same “agbada” with Tinubu’s symbolic signature logo imprinted on it.  Tinubu bowed in respect to the elder statesman while Obasanjo also acknowledged with a firm handshake.

However, it remains to be seen if this camaraderie could translate to Obasanjo’s endorsement of Tinubu for a second term in office, knowing the president to be the grandmaster of deception.

If there’s anything both leaders agreed with presently, it is the progress made by Prince Dapo Abiodun, the Ogun State Governor, particularly over the Gateway International Airport and Gateway Airline.

Both leaders, including Akpabio on Saturday, lauded the Abiodun, for transforming Ogun State and changing the face of aviation in the state through the Gateway International Airport, Iperu-Ilishan.

The trio spoke as President Tinubu inaugurated the airport and the state’s new airline, Gateway Airline, among other landmark projects, including road and housing projects in the state.

Speaking on the occasion, Tinubu thanked Governor Abiodun for his strides in office, saying that the Governor had justified the confidence reposed in him by the President and the people of Ogun State.

He said: “I sincerely appreciate the opportunity we have today to celebrate the remarkable vision of a governor and his predecessors. Today, we commissioned the economic nerve centre of our corridor.

“In less than seven years, you, Dapo Abiodun, have demonstrated commitment, vision, and patriotism to grow Nigeria. We celebrate you for your contribution to national development.

“I have no regret for whatever we have done with you.

“As your President, I am pleased to see that the increase in revenue from federal allocation is being effectively and judiciously used to build our country. I congratulate the people of this great state for supporting a government that is delivering measurable progress, and I thank you for your continued faith in our country.”

While pointing out that his administration’s investments are about the people, Tinubu said the Lord is liberating Nigeria from past mismanagement, adding, “we are back as a nation, well respected and highly recognised.”

He said the Gateway Airport is connected to investments in gas and energy, adding that the other projects of Governor Abiodun have shown his great commitment to development, which, he said, “must touch every level.”

The President expressed deep pleasure with Abiodun’s agricultural initiatives and the 1,000 electric bikes he had rolled out, describing this as “a smart response to modern transportation needs.”

Also speaking on the occasion, Obasanjo, who thanked Tinubu for making the sacrifice to attend the event, said it was a very important occasion in the history of Ogun State.

He commended Governor Abiodun for building the airport, describing it as a landmark project.

He said: “I’ve landed here from Abuja, and it took me 45 minutes from here to my home, which is at least 25 minutes shorter than if I had landed in Lagos.

“I want to thank our governor for doing us proud in what we are commissioning today. I am happy to be a witness to this historic occasion.”

The former president, who said he was part of the “conspiracy” to create the state 50 years ago, noted that nobody could have imagined Ogun would be what it is today, considering the developmental projects undertaken by the Governor.

Akpabio, who lauded President Tinubu for his reforms, which he said had liberated states from owing salaries, also commended Governor Abiodun for building the Gateway Airport and for the judicious use of increased federal allocations.

Speaking on the occasion, Abiodun, visibly elated by the President’s presence, which he described as deeply symbolic, said the President had placed the nation on the path of sustainable growth, demonstrating clarity in his economic reforms, which, he said, had repositioned Nigeria as a competitive destination.

Abiodun lauded the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda, saying that Nigeria is truly reclaiming its position as a viable investment destination.

He added that Tinubu’s leadership had inspired confidence in local and international investors.

He said that when he assumed office, he realised that for Ogun State to maximise its proximity to Lagos, his government had to close the infrastructure gap.

He added that his administration had enhanced trade mobility and infrastructural expansion, noting that Ogun is one of the fastest-growing economies in Nigeria today, with its growth anchored on deliberate policies that promote infrastructure and economic development.

On the state-owned airline, Gateway Airline, Abiodun said his government had constructed 1,600 kilometres of roads, including the Epe-Ijebu Ode Expressway, Sango-Abeokuta Expressway, Ilishan-Iperu Road, among others, as well as the Muhammadu Buhari Estate, and over 7,000 affordable homes.

He said: “Beyond aviation, in the last seven years, we have made remarkable progress, with more than 1,600km of constructed or rehabilitated road infrastructure.

Noteworthy among others are the Epe-Ijebu Ode Expressway, Sagamu Interchange–Papalanto Expressway, Sango-Abeokuta Expressway, and around here, the Sagamu–Iperu–Ode Remo–Sapade Expressway, formerly known as the Old Ibadan Road, now renamed the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Expressway (a bypass alternative to the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway), as well as the Ilishan-Iperu Road and the airport road that connects to the Sagamu-Benin Expressway (which you commissioned earlier), all enhancing connectivity and reducing travel time.

“In housing, the Muhammadu Buhari Estate, with 100 units of semi-detached and fully detached housing units, and the provision of over 7,000 affordable and quality homes for our citizens are creating thousands of jobs and turning our citizens from tenants to landlords.

“In healthcare, besides the 140 completed and equipped primary healthcare centres, we have now completed the 200-bed Gateway Medical Centre of Excellence, which will be affiliated with the new Abuja Medical Centre of Excellence. This now offers advanced medical services, reducing the need for medical travel and positioning Ogun State as a medical tourism destination. Our investments in power, including the first phase of the 34.1-megawatt Onijanganjangan Independent Power Project, are strengthening energy supply to support industrial growth and economic expansion.

“In agriculture, we are deepening mechanised farming through the provision of modern tractors, while also strengthening food security across the state. Our commitment to security is evident in the deployment of 100 pickup vehicles and other infrastructure and operational support for our law enforcement agencies.

“Furthermore, the introduction of electric mobility solutions reflects our forward-looking approach to energy transition, environmental sustainability, and urban transportation, while mitigating the shocks occasioned by the sudden increase in fuel prices that we are currently witnessing.”

At the occasion were the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio; the governors of Zamfara, Bayelsa, Taraba, Ekiti, Ondo, Niger, and Lagos states; as well as the Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Bayo Lawal, and his Lagos counterpart, Dr Obafemi Hamzat.

Also in attendance were Senator Gbenga Daniel, former governor of Ogun State; Senator Ibikunle Amosun, another former governor of the state; Chief Olusegun Osoba; and the Chairman of ANN Plc, Dr Olatokunbo Awolowo-Dosumu.

Others included Ambassador Femi Pedro; the Minister of Culture and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa; the CBN Governor, Olayemi Cardoso; the Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo; the Chairman of the Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote; the Chairman of the BUA Group; and Femi Otedola.

Also in attendance were the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Tunji Disu; the CEO of Zenith Bank; and the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi.

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