Edo Governor Orders Commissioners to Wear ‘Asiwaju Cap’ or Miss Executive Meetings

Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has directed all members of the State Executive Council to wear the ‘Asiwaju cap’, popularly associated with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as part of their official attire to Exco meetings, warning that anyone who fails to comply will be denied entry.

The governor gave the order on Tuesday, October 14, 2025, during the swearing-in ceremony of 20 new commissioners and several board members at the Government House in Benin City. Okpebholo, a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), said the directive was a symbol of loyalty and appreciation for President Tinubu’s role in the political turnaround of the state.

“This could not have happened without a responsible President,” he said. “We’ve had several elections in Edo where the presidency wasn’t with us, but today, things have changed under President Tinubu. You see this cap I’m wearing? I won’t forgive any commissioner who attends Exco without it. If you show up in native attire without this Asiwaju cap, you’re going back.”

The governor, who came to power earlier this year after a heated legal battle, used the event to reaffirm his allegiance to the president, describing Tinubu as “a leader who has shown uncommon support to Edo State and the APC.”

Okpebholo also warned the newly sworn-in commissioners against corruption, abuse of office, or political arrogance, stressing that his administration was focused on service delivery and results, not personal gain or propaganda.

“Your appointments are not political rewards but a call to serve. This government will not tolerate indiscipline or mismanagement. We are here to work for Edo people and deliver real progress,” he said.

The directive has sparked mixed reactions across the state and online, with some praising the governor’s loyalty while others condemned the move as excessive and politically servile.

Critics argue that enforcing the wearing of a political cap in official government meetings undermines the neutrality expected of public service. Social commentators described the order as “an unnecessary display of political idolatry,” while others defended it as a harmless gesture of solidarity with the president.

Political analysts say the governor’s statement reflects a growing trend among APC state leaders to visibly align with the presidency as Nigeria’s 2027 general election approaches.

Governor Okpebholo, however, maintained that his directive was symbolic, representing unity and discipline within his administration. “Our loyalty must be total,” he insisted. “We cannot succeed in isolation. This is a government of focus, and we must all show that we are part of a common purpose.”

As the new commissioners settle into office, attention now turns to how the governor’s administration will balance political allegiance with the urgent need for development in Edo State—especially as citizens continue to call for governance that prioritizes roads, education, jobs, and social welfare over symbolic gestures.