All of you must wear Asiwaju branded cap to exco meetings – Gov tells Commission, others

All of you must wear Asiwaju branded cap to exco meetings– Gov tells Commission, others

Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has ordered all newly appointed commissioners and special advisers to wear the ‘Asiwaju’ cap—a headgear associated with President Bola Tinubu—to every cabinet meeting or risk being barred from participation.

The directive was issued during the swearing-in ceremony for new commissioners and state commission members held Tuesday at the New Festival Hall in the Government House, Benin City.

The ‘Asiwaju’ cap, which bears an insignia linked to President Tinubu, is a symbolic nod to the president’s popular moniker, meaning “forerunner” in Yoruba.

Governor Okpebholo attributed his own electoral success in the November 2024 polls to Tinubu’s support, emphasizing loyalty to the president.

“If you are wearing traditional attire and show up at the executive council without the Asiwaju cap, you’re going back,” Okpebholo said to an applauding audience.

However, the announcement has stirred significant backlash online, with critics condemning the move as a troubling example of political sycophancy and misplaced priorities in governance.

Many have called the mandatory dress code an unnecessary and excessive show of allegiance to the presidency.