In a surprising display of camaraderie, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and former President Olusegun Obasanjo shared a warm embrace during Tinubu’s official visit to Ogun State yesterday, signaling a thaw in their previously frosty relationship.
The encounter took place at the commissioning of the newly built Gateway International Cargo Airport in Iperu, Ikenne Local Government Area. The President was welcomed by a gathering of governors, senators, and other political leaders. Observers noted that the highlight of the reception was the cordial exchange between Tinubu and Obasanjo, whose past political disagreements had been widely publicized.
During the meeting, Tinubu approached Obasanjo and greeted him warmly, saying, “Ah, Baba, I am loyal!” Obasanjo responded in kind: “I am more loyal, my President,” before offering a prayer for the sitting President: “May your star continue to shine. May it never go dim…” Tinubu replied with a heartfelt “AMEN.”
The light-hearted moment drew laughter when former Ogun State governor Aremo Olusegun Osoba jokingly commented on Obasanjo’s footwear, highlighting the liveliness and good spirits of the gathering.
Following the reunion, President Tinubu proceeded to commission the new airport and unveil two commercial aircraft for Gateway Air, the state-owned airline operated in partnership with Valuejet. He also inaugurated the new building of the Federal Operations Unit of the Nigerian Customs Service and handed over operational vehicles to support its functions.
