Edo APC Chairman Warns Commissioners: “No Asiwaju Cap, No Exco”

The political atmosphere in Edo State has intensified following a stern directive from the state chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) mandating commissioners and government appointees to wear the ‘Asiwaju cap’ as a show of loyalty to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the party. Edo State APC Chairman, Jarrett Tenebe, on Monday, issued a strong warning that any commissioner or political officeholder who disobeys Governor Monday Okpebholo’s directive on the matter would face immediate suspension from the party.

Governor Okpebholo had earlier, on October 14, during the swearing-in ceremony of newly cleared commissioners and the inauguration of state boards and commissions, ordered all cabinet members to demonstrate their allegiance to President Tinubu by appearing in branded APC attire, including the symbolic ‘Asiwaju cap,’ at State Executive Council meetings and public events. The governor emphasized that such visual expressions of loyalty were crucial to reinforcing party unity and discipline ahead of upcoming elections.

Addressing journalists in Benin City, Jarrett Tenebe underscored that the governor’s directive was not merely a suggestion but a compulsory order that must be obeyed by all loyal party members. “If you refuse to wear the cap as the governor has directed, we will suspend you. That is indiscipline and insubordination,” he declared.

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According to Tenebe, the decision reflects a broader campaign by the Edo State APC to strengthen internal unity and ensure that all political appointees identify openly with the leadership of the party. He noted that defiance of the governor’s instruction would be viewed as a direct affront to both the state and national leadership of the APC, stressing that loyalty within the party must be total and unquestionable.

Symbolism, Loyalty, and the 3.5 Million Votes Promise

The Edo APC chairman linked the cap directive to a larger political strategy designed to mobilize massive electoral support for President Bola Tinubu in future elections. He reaffirmed the party’s earlier commitment to deliver an overwhelming victory for the president in the 2027 general elections.

“We are doing this because we have made a promise that 3.5 million votes are guaranteed for President Bola Tinubu. Everybody has keyed into achieving that target,” Tenebe stated confidently. “This is not about fashion or symbolism; it is about unity, loyalty, and collective purpose. The Asiwaju cap represents the spirit of solidarity within our great party.”

Tenebe maintained that every commissioner, board member, or appointee under the APC-led government in Edo State must align themselves visibly and ideologically with the principles of the party and the vision of President Tinubu. According to him, loyalty is not negotiable for those who have benefited from political appointments through the APC platform.

“If, as a member of the APC, you got an appointment, you are supposed to be loyal to the President. We are expressing our loyalty to him by wearing the cap,” he emphasized. “Those complaining are not members of the APC. We in Edo have made it clear, no Asiwaju cap, no Exco.”

Mixed Reactions and Political Interpretation

Governor Okpebholo’s directive and Tenebe’s stern warning have triggered mixed reactions within political circles across Edo State and beyond. While supporters argue that the measure strengthens party discipline and reaffirms commitment to national leadership, critics see it as a case of political overreach and excessive emphasis on symbolism over substance.

Some political observers have described the directive as an attempt to visually consolidate the governor’s authority within the APC and send a message of unity ahead of the next electoral cycle. Others, however, question the necessity of linking loyalty to attire, arguing that performance and service delivery should be the primary markers of commitment to the party and its ideals.

For the APC leadership in Edo, however, the move is part of a calculated strategy to galvanize members and maintain cohesion amid political competition in the state. Governor Okpebholo, who took office amid factional tensions within the Edo APC, has been working to unify the party’s diverse blocs and project a strong, loyal image aligned with the national leadership under President Tinubu.

Edo APC’s Broader Political Strategy

The directive also reflects the ruling party’s growing emphasis on visible expressions of loyalty as a means of fostering political identity and discipline among members. Since the beginning of Okpebholo’s administration, the state leadership has intensified efforts to strengthen the APC’s grassroots structures and reassert its dominance ahead of the 2027 elections.

By insisting on the symbolic ‘Asiwaju cap,’ Governor Okpebholo and Chairman Tenebe appear determined to reinforce the connection between the Edo chapter and the national leadership of the APC. Political analysts note that the move is reminiscent of similar loyalty displays that have characterized party politics in Nigeria, where attire and emblems often serve as instruments of political messaging and solidarity.

Tenebe, while responding to criticism that the directive trivializes governance, insisted that the policy has deeper political meaning. “Wearing the Asiwaju cap is not about style; it is about belonging. It shows who you stand with and what you represent. We must all speak the same political language and act as one family under the leadership of our president,” he said.

He further explained that the APC’s ultimate goal is to ensure that all members—whether elected or appointed—uphold the same vision and dedication to the success of the Tinubu administration. According to him, the era of divided loyalty within the party is over, and those who cannot align with the new culture of discipline and unity will have no place in the party’s structure.

Loyalty and Political Identity in Edo State

Edo State’s political landscape has historically been marked by fierce rivalry and shifting allegiances among major parties. As the APC prepares for the next election cycle, Governor Okpebholo’s administration faces the challenge of consolidating its internal ranks while expanding its voter base. The insistence on party symbols, such as the Asiwaju cap, serves as a visible marker of solidarity that the leadership believes can strengthen collective identity.

Supporters of the governor argue that visible unity among political appointees sends a powerful message of coordination and strength, particularly in a state where the opposition has remained vocal. They believe that unity in image and action will help the party rally support and counter narratives of internal disarray.

However, opponents insist that such directives risk alienating competent individuals who may view the requirement as superficial or authoritarian. They argue that governance should focus on efficiency, policy outcomes, and public service, rather than symbolic loyalty gestures.

Despite the criticism, the Edo APC leadership remains firm in its position. Tenebe concluded his remarks by reiterating that the party’s identity and loyalty to President Tinubu must never be in doubt. “Edo APC is united behind our governor and our president. Anyone who refuses to show loyalty has no place among us. We have one leader—President Bola Ahmed Tinubu—and we stand by him, cap and all,” he declared.