Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has urged members of his cabinet to demonstrate loyalty to President Bola Tinubu by wearing the distinctive “Asiwaju” cap associated with the Nigerian leader.
Speaking during a session with newly appointed commissioners in Benin City on Tuesday, Okpebholo told officials that attendance at executive council meetings would require adherence to the dress code, which he described as “a symbol of solidarity and unity within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).”
“I will not be pleased with any commissioner who fails to wear Tinubu’s Asiwaju cap. If you come to the EXCO meeting without it, you may have to return,” Okpebholo said.
The “Asiwaju” cap, recognised by its embroidered broken shackle emblem, has become a defining symbol of Tinubu’s political identity. “Asiwaju,” a Yoruba word meaning “leader,” is one of the president’s traditional titles and is often used to signify loyalty among party members.
The governor, who assumed office in November 2024 after defeating the opposition in a closely contested election, said the directive was meant to “reinforce a sense of shared purpose” between state and federal officials under the APC government.
Supporters of the policy say it is a harmless gesture of party unity, while critics argue that governance should prioritise competence over symbolic displays of allegiance.
Some opposition figures have described the directive as “unnecessary and politically excessive.”
Footage of Okpebholo’s remarks circulated widely on social media, drawing mixed reactions from Edo residents and political commentators.
