The fad of the President Bola Tinubu’s signature cap, popularly known as the ‘Asiwaju Cap’, has hit the 18 local government councils in Edo State as the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) on Saturday directed that all elected officials and political appointees must wear the cap to official meetings to visibly demonstrate grassroots solidarity with President Tinubu’s administration and political vision.
Affected by the order by the ALGON Chairman, Sunny Ekpetika Ekpeson, contained in a statement signed by his media aide, Agbukor Lucky Apeakhuye, are the local government chairmen, supervisory councillors, senior special assistants, (SSAs) and special assistants (SAs).
Newsmata.com.ng reports that Governor Monday Okpebholo introduced the dress code on Tuesday at the swearing-in of 19 commissioners and the inauguration of boards of parastatals, directing that no member of his cabinet would be welcome at the weekly state executive council (EXCO) meeting without wearing the ‘Asiwaju’ cap if not dressed in suit.
Extending the new dress code to council officials, the ALGON chairman said the initiative stemmed from the message of political alignment recently reinforced by the governor.
Insisting that the display of political symbols at the local government level was a strategic step in solidifying support for the president ahead of the 2027 general elections, Ekpeson stated that “The pledged 3.5 million votes for President Tinubu from Edo State must not remain a mere aspiration.
“We must begin to build that momentum from the grassroots now, and this includes symbolic acts that reflect our political commitment.”
The ALGON boss admonished local government leaders to treat the directive with seriousness, stressing that a unified visual representation of support would foster stronger political cohesion throughout the state.