A Rare Sight: Ambode and Wife Step into the Spotlight Together

It’s not every day that the former Governor of Lagos State, Akinwunmi Ambode, and his wife, Bolanle, make a public appearance. So when the couple made their rare, graceful entrance at the wake-keep service for Princess Ebunoluwa Ojelabi, the wife of Cornelius Ojelabi, it was an event that seemed to pause the bustling pace of Lagos for a moment.

The ceremony, held on April 3, 2025, at the Femi Gbajabiamila Hall of Lagos State University in Ojo, was a gathering of Lagos’ elite, where not only Ambode’s familiar face but also those of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat, and the influential Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, added a certain gravitas to the occasion.

Ambode, ever the enigmatic figure since his tenure as governor, was spotted with Bolanle by his side—each step exuding quiet dignity. Unlike the constant media buzz that once surrounded his public appearances, this moment was a reminder of the couple’s reserved nature, with their presence at the solemn occasion as understated as it was significant.

Ambode steered Lagos from 2015 to 2019. Ever since, he has embraced a quieter, less visible role in the state’s political theatre, and his appearance with Bolanle was, in its own right, a rare treat for those who still recall his influential years.

For the couple, their fleeting return to the public eye during this intimate moment felt like a full-circle moment. From the political rallies of old to standing in reflection at the life of someone they both held dear, Ambode’s measured return to Lagos’ social spotlight speaks volumes. Not for the grand speeches, not for the power play, but for the simple elegance of stepping in, quietly, with a partner by his side.