The governor of Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has issued a stern warning to his newly sworn-in commissioners, cautioning them never to attend executive meetings without wearing President Bola Tinubu’s signature ‘Asiwaju’ cap.
In a viral video circulating on social media, Governor Okpebholo, while addressing the newly inaugurated commissioners, declared that anyone who arrived without the cap would be turned away.
Okpebholo’s warning
He said: “And you are wearing traditional dress and you are coming to the exco without this Asiwaju cap, you are going back.”
His statement was met with loud cheers in the background, as people could be heard chanting, “No Asiwaju, no entry.”
Public reactions
The video has triggered a wave of mixed reactions online, with many Nigerians expressing outrage over what they described as “idolisation of power.”
Obiorah Otu commented: “When leadership turns into worship, governance dies a slow death. Power is not about whose cap you wear; it’s about whose lives you lift. A governor should build thinkers, not followers. If the measure of loyalty in your cabinet is the design of a cap instead of the quality of ideas, you’ve already lost the plot.
“True leadership is not about pledging allegiance to one man; it’s about pledging service to your people. Edo doesn’t need political errand boys. It needs men and women with backbone, vision, and the courage to say no when the emperor is naked.
“Governor, wear integrity, not anybody’s cap. That’s how legacies are made, not by bending low to kiss another man’s ring, but by standing tall for the people who trusted you with their future. Anyways, the people never voted for you.”
Another user, Duke, wrote: “Very soon, the national flag would be replaced with the Asiwaju cap.”
Lam Nok added: “Hahahaha… Nigerians, you haven’t seen anything yet. Keep chasing iPhone 17 and big yansh. These clowns will gradually strip you of every dignity until you’re gone.”
IsahOgwu stated: “This is how democracy births tyranny. Living in the West and seeing how governance works makes me resent what’s happening in Nigeria. This form of worship should be rejected.”
Ghost wrote: “Gradually they keep pushing Nigerians. To them, it’s authority or banter. Until some Nigerians get angry and start a real protest — then it might be too late for them. Every big resentment starts like this.”
Zambezi added: “The symbol of slavery — is there something about that symbol they aren’t telling us? It seems to be more than a design or a brand; it’s more popular than the APC logo. So what’s really going on? Why must they wear it like it’s a military uniform?”
Watch the video here…
Edo Governor Monday Warns New Commissioners: No Entry to Exco Meeting Without Wearing Asiwaju Cap
— Instablog9ja (@instablog9ja) October 14, 2025