By ADEYEMI ADELEYE

The Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu, on Saturday expressed confidence that President Bola Tinubu would emerge victorious in the 2027 presidential election.

The Lagos traditional ruler and a former police officer, however, stressed that his greatest desire was a 2027 election devoid of violence, hatred and bitterness across the country.

Akiolu spoke at his palace in Lagos while receiving members of the Forum of All Progressives Congress State Chairmen Forum during a courtesy visit.

The visit of the party chairmen, led by the Lagos State APC Chairman, Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi, was part of the forum’s three-day meeting in Lagos.

Akiolu said political calculations and human manoeuvres could not override God’s will in determining leadership.

“No matter the manoeuvres or political calculations, I remain confident that, by the grace of God, this election will end in victory for President Bola Tinubu.

“More importantly, I pray that it will be peaceful. What we should all pray for is good health, long life and a peaceful nation where every Nigerian can live in harmony,” the traditional ruler said.

Akiolu appealed to politicians across party lines to shun violence and embrace peace before, during and after the elections.

“I also appeal to members of all political parties to conduct themselves peacefully. Politics should never become a source of hatred or violence.

“As we move towards the election, I appeal once again: let us reject violence, hatred and bitterness. Let us embrace peace, unity and national development,” he said.

The traditional ruler urged Nigerians to place their trust in God, saying political authority ultimately came from the Almighty.

“As we prepare for this election, we must remember that power belongs to God alone.

“Even when traditional rulers offer prayers and blessings, everything ultimately depends on God’s will.

“My family and I, like everyone else, remain at the mercy of Almighty God,” he said.

Akiolu also urged Nigerians to uphold integrity and reject discrimination based on religion or ethnicity.

“We are all equal before God. There should be no discrimination based on religion or ethnicity.

“Our duty is to live with integrity, do what is right and place our trust in God,” he said.

Akiolu called on journalists to remain objective and promote national unity through responsible reportage.

“To our friends in the media, I urge you to remain truthful, fair and constructive in your reporting.

“The nation needs responsible journalism that promotes peace, unity and national development rather than division,” he said.

He said Nigeria’s current economic and security challenges would give way to better days through God’s grace and collective commitment.

Akiolu noted that every successful nation had overcome periods of hardship, urging Nigerians not to lose hope in the country’s future.

He also advised citizens not to compromise their values for temporary gains but to remain hardworking, prayerful and committed to doing what was right.

Akiolu prayed for peaceful elections, wisdom for the nation’s leaders and enduring peace, prosperity and dignity for all Nigerians.

Earlier, Ojelabi said that the forum was in the palace to receive the royal blessings after the party primaries, victory during the just-conducted off cycle elections and ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Delivering a vote of thanks on behalf of the forum, the Edo APC Chairman, Mr Jarrett Tenebe, who appreciated the traditional ruler for the counsel.

“I make bold to tell you that we are working in our various states to ensure that we deliver votes more than what the President got in the last election.

“All the state chairmen are working day and night to ensure they turn in the kind of votes that nobody ever imagined in this election that is coming.

“This is very possible because the President is working in every state and our state governors are also doing the same thing, working in their various states.”

According to him, Edo has promised the President 2.5 million votes in 2027 election.

“All the state chairmen that are before you today are eminent people, credible people, people who are hard-working.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that party chairmen boarded train from Marina to Mile 2 and another ride on Section I of Lagos – Calabar Coastal Highway to have first-hand experience of infrastructural development in the state. (NAN)