Daniel Otera
Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo took a decisive step on October 14, 2025, when he swore in 19 new commissioners and special advisers, laying down a clear rule: wearing the Asiwaju cap at every executive council meeting. This cap, symbolizing support for President Bola Tinubu, was made mandatory, with the governor stressing that any commissioner failing to wear it would face sanctions and would be barred from attending future meetings. Okpebholo’s directive emphasizes loyalty to the president, making the cap a visible marker of political allegiance within the state’s executive.
Okpebholo’s election on September 21, 2024, marked a historic moment for the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State. He won with 221,168 votes, defeating the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate Asue Ighodalo, who garnered 200,955 votes. This victory ended PDP governance after former Governor Godwin Obaseki who had won on the platform of the APC later defected to the PDP.
The Asiwaju cap, a key item in Tinubu’s 2023 presidential campaign, was initially worn by supporters at rallies across Nigeria. Its design, featuring a broken shackle emblem, symbolized freedom from old ways and connected deeply with the narrative of Tinubu’s rise to power. The cap’s shape, reminiscent of a tilted number 8, was interpreted by some as representing Tinubu’s path to the presidency. In the 2023 election, millions of these caps were distributed through APC channels, contributing to Tinubu’s overwhelming victory with 8,794,726 votes (36.61% of the total), outpacing Atiku Abubakar’s 6,984,520 votes for the PDP.
Now, in 2025, Okpebholo has elevated the Asiwaju cap from a campaign symbol to a mandatory item in the governance of Edo State. During the inauguration of his cabinet, Okpebholo made it clear: “I will not forgive any commissioner that is not wearing the Asiwaju cap in our next meeting.” He added, “In EXCO, if you’re in traditional attire and not wearing this Asiwaju cap, you’re going back.” This directive firmly links state governance to the cap, marking a new chapter in the use of symbols to demonstrate loyalty in Nigerian politics.
The significance of the Asiwaju cap as a symbol of loyalty cannot be overstated. Similar to how political parties in the past have used branded shirts or flags to create visual cohesion, Tinubu’s cap has evolved into a central tool for reinforcing political allegiance. Its use as a daily sign of loyalty in Edo State’s government meetings highlights its growing power as a symbol of political unity.
The role of APC in shaping Tinubu’s political brand is critical. Over 70% of Tinubu’s votes came from APC-controlled states, with Lagos contributing 572,606 votes. While Lagos was not the only state to support Tinubu, it serves as a key stronghold, reflecting his deep-rooted influence in the region.
By requiring his commissioners and advisers to wear the Asiwaju cap, Okpebholo ensures that his administration’s loyalty to Tinubu is clearly visible. This strategic move solidifies the connection between local leadership and the federal president, creating a unified political front in Edo State.
Tinubu’s influence, particularly during his time as Lagos State governor (1999-2007), laid the foundation for a network of loyalists. His political influence has expanded significantly, with the APC now controlling 22 states as of October 2025, up from 20 after the party’s victories in Edo and Ondo in 2023. These states’ increasing support underscores the growing strength of Tinubu’s brand.
The balance of power between Nigeria’s federal and state governments is outlined by the 1999 Constitution, which gives governors control over state matters while acknowledging the influence of the federal government, especially through party politics. Currently, the APC controls 22 out of 36 states, representing 61% of the governorship positions. This gives APC governors significant leverage in shaping national policies and creates a strong, party-driven governance network.
The loyalty and alignment within APC-controlled states are critical, particularly as Nigeria approaches the 2027 elections. Governors are expected to show unwavering support for the party and its leadership. For instance, in September 2025, APC leaders in Jigawa State renewed their support for President Tinubu and Governor Umar Namadi, calling for joint political events to demonstrate their solidarity. Similarly, in Delta State, the APC passed a vote of confidence in President Tinubu and Governor Sheriff Oborevwori in October 2025, ensuring their place as the party’s candidates for the 2027 elections.
Such developments suggest that the use of visual symbols, such as party-branded items like caps, will become more prevalent in APC-controlled states. These symbols serve as a unifying force, strengthening the ties between state leaders and the federal government as Nigeria moves toward the 2027 elections.
Looking at the evolution of political symbolism in Edo State, past inaugurations stand in contrast to Okpebholo’s approach. In 2016, when Godwin Obaseki took office as governor, the inauguration was largely focused on policy discussions with no emphasis on symbolic attire or allegiance to national leaders. Archived footage from Channels TV shows Obaseki’s team, dressed in formal suits, as they focused on local issues like infrastructure and education, steering clear of political displays.
By contrast, Adams Oshiomhole, who governed from 2008 to 2016, had meetings and events featuring APC’s party colors, though no singular emblem, such as the Asiwaju cap, was associated with his leadership. His focus was on formal attire, avoiding overt political symbolism.
Governor Okpebholo’s approach marks a departure from this trend. By introducing the Asiwaju cap as a daily symbol of loyalty, he directly ties his administration to President Tinubu’s influence, particularly considering that federal allocations make up over 52% of Edo State’s budget. This connection underscores the importance of maintaining alignment with the federal government.
The cap also introduces an interesting cultural dimension into the inauguration. The Asiwaju cap, rooted in Yoruba tradition, symbolizes leadership and is associated with the Yoruba concept of “Asiwaju” (meaning leader or pathfinder). This term is deeply embedded in Yoruba culture, which is spoken by over 40 million people in southwestern Nigeria. The cap’s design draws from the Yoruba agbada style, with embroidered motifs that reflect the historical grandeur of Ife bronze heads, symbolizing the ancient Yoruba kings.
Edo State, home to the Benin Kingdom, has its own rich cultural heritage, with royal regalia, such as coral-beaded attire, serving as symbols of status and pride. This contrast between Yoruba and Benin traditions invites important questions about cultural identity in Edo politics. However, the blending of these cultural elements reflects the interconnectedness of Nigerian politics, where regional symbols often cross paths and influence each other.
The historical link between the Yoruba and Benin peoples adds complexity to the political dynamics of Edo State. The migration of Oranmiyan, a prince from Ife, to Benin around 1200 AD, and the subsequent establishment of the Eweka dynasty, laid the foundation for an enduring cultural and political connection between the two kingdoms. Today, elements of both Yoruba and Benin cultures are present in political leadership, seen in the fusion of Yoruba-style caps and Benin regalia worn by leaders during public events.
This fusion of cultural practices in modern Edo politics speaks to the shared history between the Yoruba and Benin peoples, which continues to shape the state’s political landscape. The intertwining of these cultural traditions with political practices reflects a broader trend in Nigerian politics, where regional identities and symbols are used to forge political unity and loyalty.
As Edo State’s cabinet begins its work, with a budget of N400 billion for 2025, the Asiwaju cap will undoubtedly remain a significant symbol of unity and political alignment.
Okpebholo’s move to require the Asiwaju cap signals the growing importance of symbols in Nigerian politics, particularly as the nation approaches the 2027 elections. This development could pave the way for similar moves in other states, further solidifying the APC’s dominance and loyalty to the federal government, while also blending regional traditions and political loyalty in a way that reshapes Nigeria’s political future.