“One Of The Very Best” – Sanwo-Olu Speaks On Legacy Of Baba Bush Alebiosu At 90

As preparations peak for the 90th birthday of revered Lagos political patriarch, Otunba Busura Adedeji Alebiosu, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has offered a deeply personal reflection on the man he describes as “one of the very best” and a stabilising force in the state’s political evolution.

In an interview marking the nonagenarian’s milestone, Sanwo-Olu painted a portrait of Pa Alebiosu—fondly called Baba Bush—as a rare figure whose influence has quietly but firmly shaped Lagos politics across decades, from the pre-democracy era through the Fourth Republic.

“For almost 23 to 25 years that I have been around, the name Baba Bush has stood with me right from the beginning,” the governor said, situating the elder statesman among a select group of political actors who helped define the state’s modern political architecture.

The senior citizen, a former member of the Lagos State House of Assembly who represented Somolu/Kosofe, is widely regarded as one of the enduring pillars of grassroots mobilisation and political mentorship.

Sanwo-Olu described him as a “leading light” whose counsel often serves as a compass during moments of tension and uncertainty.

Within the powerful Governance Advisory Council (GAC), the governor revealed, Pa Alebiosu’s influence is both symbolic and practical.

“He sits on the first seat to my left, and whether he is around or not, that seat is always kept for him. That speaks volumes,” he said, underscoring the deep respect the elder commands among peers and protégés alike.

More than his titles, however, it is his temperament that stands out. Sanwo-Olu likened him to “a tranquiliser,” noting that his interventions often calm heated deliberations and steer conversations toward resolution.

“When Baba Bush opens his mouth to speak, we all listen,” he added, describing a man who speaks sparingly but with weight, drawing from decades of earned experience.

The governor pointed to patience, endurance, and a willingness to compromise as the defining values younger politicians must learn from Baba Alebiosu.

“You cannot be a hardliner permanently,” he said, adding “At the end of the day, you must be able to live with a solution.”

Sanwo-Olu emphasised that Pa Alebiosu’s politics has never been driven by bitterness or exclusion, but by a deep understanding of inclusiveness and the need to sustain peace within the system.

“He is not a politician who believes that if it is not him, then it must be no one else,” he said, describing him as a man willing to sacrifice personal gain for collective stability.

The governor’s tribute comes as momentum builds for what insiders describe as a carefully curated, high-level celebration befitting the stature of the nonagenarian.

The two-day event will begin with a special prayer session on Friday, April 24—his birth date—followed by an exclusive reception on Saturday, April 25 at Balmoral, expected to draw Nigeria’s political and social elite.

Sources close to the planning say the event will feature adequate security arrangements, a documentary chronicling Pa Alebiosu’s life and influence, and a live performance by music icon Wasiu Ayinde Marshal.

Attendance is by invitation, reflecting both the calibre of guests and the organisers’ intent at proper arrangement.

There are also strong indications that President Bola Tinubu may be in attendance, alongside top government officials, GAC members, and the Council of Otunbas in Ijebuland, which Pa Alebiosu chairs.

Beyond the ceremonies, observers say the gathering will double as a subtle theatre of political alignment, offering a glimpse into the vast network of loyalty and influence the elder statesman has built over decades.

From protégés to long-time associates, many are expected to seize the moment to reaffirm their connection to a man widely described as a “political compass.”

A senior figure in the All Progressives Congress (APC), Pa Alebiosu’s reach extends far beyond Lagos into Ijebuland, where he remains a respected traditional and political voice.

Tributes that marked his 88th and 89th birthdays are already being eclipsed by the scale of homage planned for his 90th.

Sanwo-Olu, however, insists the celebration is as much about legacy as longevity.

In a heartfelt birthday message, he prayed for continued strength and clarity for his “political father,” expressing hope that he would live to 100 in good health while continuing to guide future generations.

“This politics that you have practised for decades will never be used to embarrass you,” the governor said, capturing both the reverence and reassurance that now define Baba Bush’s place in Lagos’ political history.

At 90, Alebiosu stands not just as a survivor of eras, but as a bridge across them—a living repository of experience, influence, and quiet power whose relevance, by all indications, remains firmly intact.