Inside politicians ‘pilgrimage’ to Bourdillon

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Tuesday, May 27, left Abuja for Lagos to attend the 50th anniversary of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

The president was also expected to commission some projects as part of his two years’ anniversary in office, especially Section I of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and Lekki Deep Sea Port Tax Credit Concrete Road.

According to presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, the president will also observe the Eid-el-Kabir prayers at the State House, Dodan Barracks, before returning to Abuja.

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However, while in Lagos, many politicians and business moguls alike have turned the Bourdillon residence of President Tinubu into a Mecca of sorts, trooping in and out for one reason or the other.

Daily Trust gathered that the seat of power has practically moved from Abuja to Lagos, with all the stakeholders hustling to show their presence with the number one citizen.

Many of the visits to the president might not be unconnected with the political permutation for the upcoming 2027 general elections, as politicians from the opposition parties look to tie up their alliance with the president’s party, the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC.

At least two governors elected on the platform of the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have made their way to the APC, including high profile politicians like senators, House of Representatives members and their supporters.

Tinubu meets Fubara

Among those that were in Lagos to see President Tinubu was the suspended governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara.

This is the second time that Governor Fubara is meeting with the president since a state of emergency was declared in Rivers State and he was suspended from office alongside his deputy, Ngozi Odu and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.

While the discussion between the president and his visitor is still shrouded in secrecy, it might not be unconnected with ongoing efforts by President Tinubu and other stakeholders towards resolving the political crisis in the state.

Opposition figures and parties have been at odds with the Presidency since the State Governor was suspended.

Even though one of the main actors in the impasse, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) minister Nyesom Wike disclosed that he has not set his eyes on the Governor since he (Fubara) visited him with two APC Governors, sources said there are ongoing discussions about a peace pact by the warring parties.

During their deliberations on the declaration of a State of Emergency, the National Assembly had hinted about setting up a reconciliation committee to reconcile parties.

The Adelekes led by Osun state governor

Also in Bourdillon to confer with President Tinubu was the Osun State governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, Music star, David Adeleke, also known as Davido, and his father, Adedeji Adeleke.

The visit was announced by Governor Adeleke on his official X  account, with pictures shared by the State House.

Governor Adeleke wrote, “This evening, alongside the scion of the Adeleke dynasty, my elder brother, Dr. Deji Adeleke, and my nephew, whom we are immensely proud of, David Adeleke, popularly known as @davido, we paid a courtesy visit to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at his Lagos residence ahead of the Sallah celebration.”

While details of the closed-door meeting were not disclosed, the visit follows Davido’s earlier meeting with President Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja alongside some of his allies.

Also, opinions still remain divided among political analysts on the reasons behind the visit.

However, those conversant with the development said it is either the governor may be working his way into the APC like two governors of the PDP, Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and Akwa Ibom State, Governor Umo Eno who recently joined the ruling party or the governor known for his dancing prowess might be seeking an alliance with the president to secure political cover for the coming 2026 governorship elections with a promise to support the president’s re-election in 2027.

However, the days ahead will make the situation clearer as to why the three strong members of the Adeleke family visited the president.

Pastor Tunde Bakare

Also sighted with the president in Lagos was the Senior Pastor of the Citadel Global Community Church, CGCC, Tunde Bakare.

Many were surprised to see the man of God, who has been a critic of the present administration, with the president.

While speaking at his church in April, Pastor Bakare warned the president against ‘playing God’, adding that the administration is not on course.

However, while speaking with reporters, the pastor was quick to state his reasons for visiting the president.

According to Bakare, he was in Bourdillon about how the country will move in the right direction.

“My life, personal vision is to see a nation that works in my lifetime, and those things I’ve discussed with Mr. President. They are not hidden things, but I’ve learnt that when you discuss with the person in charge, you leave it to him to do whatever he wills with whatever you’ve suggested.

“I’ve had a private conversation with Mr. President, and I’m glad that he received me well. I trust that God will help our Nation.

“What transpired in my discussion with him stays with him and with me. God guiding him and giving him wisdom will help this nation not to go down the drain, but to bounce back so that he can leave a mark that cannot be erased,” he said.

Bakare said he would like to see a peaceful nation, “I’d like to see Nigerians be their brother’s keeper. I’d like to see good collaboration between the best of North and the best of the South to steer Nigeria in the best direction,” he said.

Tinubu meets Plateau Governor Mutfwang

The Plateau State governor, Caleb Mutfwang, has also met with President Tinubu in Lagos.

Announcing the visit on his Facebook page with an accompanied picture of the governor, the president, and First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu, Mutfwang said “I had the privilege of a heart-to-heart discussion with H.E. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on the state of our nation. I also expressed deep appreciation for directing accelerated design on the 4th Legacy Project of the Akwanga-Jos-Bauchi and Gombe corridor to enable procurement to commence.”

The governor said, “This crucial corridor, which serves as a gateway to the North East, will stimulate economic activities and uplift living standards. I equally commended the federal government for the swift reconstruction of the collapsed bridge linking Shendam LGA to surrounding communities and Taraba State.

“We are working towards sustained improvement in road infrastructure, citizen welfare, and national security,” he wrote.

Tinubu meets Bagudu

Also sighted with the president in Lagos was the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Atiku Bagudu.

The minister met with the president on Saturday night.

Even though the crux of their discussions was not immediately known, the minister told journalists after the visit that despite the short-term pain that accompanied the reforms of the president, the present administration is steadily positioning the nation’s economy for sustained recovery and growth.

Bagudu commended the administration’s economic policies, stating that Nigeria is beginning to reap the fruits of long-overdue structural changes.

“We’re not where we want to be,” Bagudu admitted, “but these steps have turned the economy in the right direction.”

Analyst speaks

Weighing in on the torrents of visits, Jide Ojo, development consultant and public affairs analyst, said there is really nothing “Untoward or extraordinary or unusual about turning the president’s residence into a Mecca of some sort, during such visits by the president.”

He said many people are going there to discuss their political issues with the president, adding that many might feel it is easier to see the president in Lagos than in Abuja, where there will be “bureaucratic bottlenecks”.

Ojo said,  “It is a time-honoured practice. I recall that during the eight years of former President Muhammadu Buhari, that was the same way that politicians were trooping to his hometown in Daura, to pay him homage anytime he ventured home, and so, it’s that same tradition.

“Even someone like former President Obasanjo, after eight years, since 2007, politicians still troop to his house in Abeokuta and Otta to go and seek advice or give him information about their political interests and stuff like that.

“More so, you know, it may be easier for many people to access him in his home in Lagos than in his office, Abuja, where there will be a lot of bureaucratic bottlenecks.

“You saw that, apart from Governor Ademola Adeleke and Fubara,  he has also played host to so many others, including the African Footballer of the Year, Ademola Lukman, and several other notable Nigerians, aside from politicians.

“So, I think it’s just the fact that they thought seeing him in Lagos, in a more relaxed environment, could serve their purpose better than booking an appointment to see him in Abuja, where there will be a lot of protocols.”