Adeyemi Ikuforiji: Returning to Lagos Social Space After a Long Hiatus

HighLife

There is a way to politics in Nigeria that is not obvious anywhere else. It is the way of isolation and incubation in preparation for big things. Adeyemi Ikuforoji, former Lagos Speaker and old pal of former Lagos Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, has gone through his period of isolation and incubation and is back to the social space he once dominated. Whether or not he will take up the banner of some political newbie is something that is still in the Speculation Folder.

In the eyes of some people, May 2022 has not brought any big thing to the Nigerian social, political, or economic space. However, these people certainly have no idea that Ikuforiji decided to show himself this month in Lagos. Those that are aware are doubtlessly checking the insides of guinea fowls and black pigeons to determine the will of the gods of politics regarding the man’s reappearance.

A birthday party was held in Ikoyi, Lagos, in the early days of May this year. And one of the attendees was Ikuforiji in the flesh. Of course, he was not as ostentatiously dressed as he used to be. Nevertheless, there were more than a handful of prestigious individuals that shuffled to his side to say ‘hello’ and ‘long time no see.’

For those who know Ikuforiji, it was indeed a pleasure to see him at the party. The last that was heard of him was the dispersing of the dreams and cabinet of the former governor, Ambode. Ikuforiji was best friends with the governor and played a big role in the hesitation that some power brokers had about sending Ambode packing from the Lagos number one seat. However, Ikuforiji was not successful and soon decided to leave the limelight at the same time that Ambode was forced to.

So, with the reappearance of the former Lagos Speaker, speculations are always in motion that something is cooking. Maybe this is true, and maybe not—time will tell.