ABEOKUTA – If you walked into the Ake Palace Square on Sunday, January 25, 2026, expecting nothing more than the cutting of a multi-tiered cake and the singing of “Happy Birthday,” you might just be the most optimistic—or perhaps the most gullible—observer of Nigerian politics.
While the occasion was officially the 68th birthday of the former Governor of Ogun State, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, the atmosphere was thick with the unmistakable “whiff” of high-stakes political maneuvering. In Ogun State, a gathering of this magnitude is rarely just about another year on the calendar; it is a statement of presence, power, and future intent.
The Power of Presence
The “Ajiri” phenomenon was on full display as a mammoth crowd of loyalists, party stalwarts, and traditional rulers defied alleged “boycott” whispers to honor the man often called Baba Eku Owo e. The sheer volume of attendees served as a visual reminder that despite being out of Oke-Mosan since 2019, Amosun’s political machinery remains oiled, fueled, and ready for ignition.
Notable figures in attendance included:
- Sarafa Tunji Isola, former Nigerian High Commissioner to the UK.
- Lekan Adegbite, former Minister of Mines and Steel Development.
- Tunde Lemo, former CBN Deputy Governor.
- Senators Iyabo Anisulowo and Gbenga Obadara.
A Strategic Support for 2027
Addressing the crowd, Amosun didn’t just stick to gratitude; he dove headfirst into the national discourse. Reaffirming his “unwavering” membership in the All Progressives Congress (APC), the Senator threw his weight behind President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid.
He framed his support through the lens of national equity, stating that it is a “no-brainer” for the South to complete an eight-year cycle. “In the interest of Nigeria, we must observe rotation,” Amosun declared, effectively positioning himself as a key regional gatekeeper for the Presidency’s interests in the Southwest.
The Underlying Friction
The celebration was also a subtle jab at the current state of the party in Ogun. By describing himself and Chief Olusegun Osoba as the “foundational pillars” of the APC in the state, Amosun sent a clear message to his detractors: you cannot rewrite the history of a house while the architect is still standing in the living room.
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The absence of current state government officials only heightened the “political whiff” mentioned by observers. For the “Amosunites” present, the birthday was less about 68 years of life and more about the next four years of influence.
As the sun set over Abeokuta, one thing was clear: Senator Ibikunle Amosun is not heading for a quiet retirement. Whether this birthday bash was the opening salvo for a 2027 kingmaking role or a direct challenge to the current internal power structure, the “spectacle” at Ake Palace has ensured that “Ajiri” remains the name on everyone’s lips.
