At 29, when many Nigerians are still searching for direction, Soji Rilwan Akanbi was already navigating the corridors of national power in Abuja. He was young, largely unknown, and thrust into a political arena dominated by seasoned heavyweights, power brokers, and presidential hopefuls. However, his rise was neither accidental nor entirely deliberate, it was the product of influence, timing, and one defining trait that would come to shape his political identity, the willingness to stand his ground when it mattered most. From the turbulent days of the Third Republic to the intricate alliances that define modern Nigerian politics, Akanbi’s story is not just about ascent, it is about survival, loyalty, and the cost of staying relevant.
Yes, Akanbi’s political story dates back to 1989/1990, nearly four decades ago when he ventured into the arena at just 29 years old. His early involvement coincided with the transition periods that defined Nigeria’s return to democratic governance, particularly around the remnants and influences of the Third Republic. It was an era thick with ambition, ideological contests, and the reconfiguration of political loyalties.
Interestingly, Akanbi did not set out with a lifelong ambition to become a politician. His entry into politics, by his own account, was largely accidental, facilitated by his late uncle, Senator Lere Adesina. That initial push exposed him to the inner workings of political organization and strategy.
However, it was his integrity and respect for the late Ibadan political strongman, Chief Lamidi Adedibu, that proved decisive. Adedibu, widely regarded as a kingmaker in Oyo politics, saw potential in the young Akanbi and adopted him as a candidate under the Social Democratic Party. Contrary to assumptions that his rise may have been tied solely to family privilege, Akanbi’s emergence was also anchored in the goodwill commanded by his late father, Oloye Muibudeen Olalere Akanbi, the third Babasale of Ibadanland, a very influencial and respected figure in Ibadan and Yoruba land generally. This combination of lineage and strategic backing earned him broad acceptance among Ibadan elders. Riding on this wave of support, he secured an overwhelming electoral victory, reportedly winning about 85 percent of the vote, thereby earning a seat in the National Assembly at an age when most politicians are still building local networks.
Arriving in Abuja as a young legislator, Akanbi stepped into a high-stakes political environment where presidential ambitions were shaping alliances across party lines. The early 1990s political climate saw intense competition between platforms such as the SDP and its rival, the National Republican Convention. Within this atmosphere, members of the National Assembly became critical assets for presidential hopefuls seeking grassroots validation.
One defining episode from this period illustrates both Akanbi’s character and the political dynamics of the time. When the late Shehu Musa Yar’Adua, popularly known as Tafida, sought the support of lawmakers for his presidential ambition, he provided each legislator with funds to mobilize support in their constituencies. While many complied, Akanbi’s experience in Ibadan revealed a different reality. His constituents, described as politically conscious and widely rooted in Yoruba identity, rejected the directive and instead supported Chief Olu Falae.
Faced with this outcome, Akanbi made a decision that would later define his reputation. Rather than conceal the truth or retain the funds, he returned the money to the late Yar’Adua, openly explaining the situation in his constituency. This act of transparency did not go unnoticed. In a political culture often criticized for opportunism, his honesty earned him Yar’Adua’s respect and trust.
That moment marked a turning point. Yar’Adua not only returned the funds to him but also sought a deeper relationship, eventually visiting Ibadan to meet both Adedibu and Akanbi’s father. From there, Akanbi became closely associated with Yar’Adua’s political structure, earning the nickname “handbag,” a colloquial expression reflecting his constant presence and loyalty within the camp.
Through this association, Akanbi gained unprecedented exposure to Nigeria’s political elite. He built relationships with figures who would later shape the country’s democratic trajectory, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, current President Bola Tinubu, and the current Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Rashidi Ladoja. He also interacted with other influential personalities such as Iyorchia Ayu, Bode Olajumoke, and Kashim Imam. These connections, forged at a formative stage of his career, embedded him within a network that extended far beyond Oyo State. Also along the line, Akanbi met the late former Governor of Oyo State, Alhaji Lamidi Adesina popularly called “Great Lam” and contributed immensely to his emergence as Governor under the Alliance for Democracy in 1999. He worked with him in various capacities during his administration.
He also worked with a lot of major players during the Third Republic.
His exposure was not limited to one political bloc. As a member of the National Assembly, Akanbi encountered a diverse range of leaders across regions and ideologies, including Rabiu Kwankwaso, Orji Uzor Kalu, Baba Wande Abimbola, and Isiaka Adeleke. This cross-regional engagement broadened his political perspective and positioned him as a bridge between different currents within Nigeria’s evolving democracy.
Even within these elite circles, Akanbi was regarded as the “baby of the house,” a reflection of both his youth and the mentorship he received. His personal milestones also became collective moments within this network. Notably, his wedding drew the presence of prominent figures such as late Moshood Abiola and Yar’Adua, underscoring the depth of his integration into Nigeria’s political establishment.
Despite his track records in politics, Akanbi did not stop nurturing his Energy, Gas, Tourism and Aviation Businesses. His loyalty to the growth and the development of the ancient city- Ibadan was rewarded by the late Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji, Ajeoniguguso I, who honoured him with a Chieftaincy titled of Okanlomo of Ibadanland in 2017.
However, the journey was not without turbulence. The political upheavals that followed, including the persecution and eventual death of Yar’Adua, disrupted many of these alliances. Yet, Akanbi’s early exposure had already cemented his place within the national consciousness. He had moved from being a young entrant into politics to a participant in the inner workings of Nigeria’s power structure.
He maintained strong ties with over 120 associations, including artisans and market groups, reinforcing his reputation as a mobilizer who prioritizes mass engagement.
His political philosophy has often been framed around loyalty to the people and a commitment to personal integrity. Those close to his career argue that his early experiences particularly the decision to return Yar’Adua’s campaign funds set the tone for a cautious but principled approach to politics. In an environment where credibility is frequently contested, such narratives have become central to his public image.
Now, as Nigeria’s political grows even more complex and, at times, unforgiving, the real question is no longer how Soji Rilwan Akanbi rose, it is what his journey now demands of the present. The young lawmaker who once chose integrity over convenience, returning campaign funds in defiance of political expectation, is no longer just a participant in the system; he is a product of its deepest networks, its toughest seasons, and its most defining relationships.
Decades after navigating the charged atmosphere of the Third Republic and building alliances with figures who would go on to shape Nigeria’s democratic trajectory, Akanbi stands as more than a relic of a past era, he represents continuity, experience, and tested political maturity. His longstanding grassroots connection, coupled with his exposure to national power dynamics, places him in a rare category of politicians who understand both the street-level pulse of the people and the high-level negotiations of governance.
Which then raises a compelling question for Oyo State’s political future, should a figure with such depth of experience, such far-reaching relationships, and such a record of strategic loyalty not be seriously considered for higher political responsibility, even as 2027 approaches? In a time where leadership is often reduced to rhetoric and fleeting popularity, Akanbi’s journey suggests something more enduring, a capacity not just to win elections, but to get hold of power, build consensus, and deliver representation that is both responsible and effective. If leadership is ultimately about experience, network, and the ability to command trust across divides, then the case for Soji Rilwan Akanbi is not just persuasive, it is difficult to ignore.
Daniel Akinkunmi writes from Ibadan, Oyo State.
