Governor Sanwo-Olu’s absence at a key infrastructure event hosted by President Tinubu sparks talk of political tension in Lagos. His unoccupied seat raised eyebrows at the high-profile flag-off.
Tinubu’s pointed remarks on urban planning and silent treatment of Sanwo-Olu only deepened speculation of an internal rift within APC ranks.
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Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu was conspicuously absent on Thursday at the high-profile flag-off of the reconstruction of the Epe-Ijebu-Ode Deep-Seaport Access Road, an event presided over by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The ceremony, held in Lagos State, marked the launch of a significant infrastructure project aimed at improving connectivity and boosting trade in the region.
The event drew a notable crowd, including top political figures such as Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum and Lagos State Deputy Governor Dr. Obafemi Hamzat. Despite the prominence of the occasion and its direct relevance to Lagos, Governor Sanwo-Olu was nowhere to be seen. Attendees observed that a seat designated for the governor remained unoccupied throughout the proceedings, with Deputy Governor Hamzat sitting quietly behind it, providing no explanation for Sanwo-Olu’s absence.
In his address at the ceremony, President Tinubu acknowledged Hamzat’s presence but made no mention of Sanwo-Olu. His remarks were pointedly directed at governors across the country, warning them against unregulated urban developments along federal road corridors. He cautioned that unauthorized planning approvals, particularly those affecting infrastructure setbacks, would be revoked.
“Please, our dear governors, let’s work together. Don’t give planning approvals without collaborating with the Surveyor-General of the Federation and the Ministry of Works,” Tinubu stated. “I’m glad the Deputy Governor of Lagos State is here. Take it that we will revoke all those approvals given on setbacks. And please note that we are very serious about it. No more approvals for those unapproved islands being created illegally.”
The President’s firm tone and his specific singling out of Lagos without addressing the governor directly did not go unnoticed and added to growing speculation that all is not well between the two political figures.
This isn’t the first time Governor Sanwo-Olu has been sidelined at a major federal event. At the recent commissioning of Phase 1, Section 1 (30km) of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, Sanwo-Olu was physically present but appeared publicly snubbed. President Tinubu greeted other dignitaries in attendance, including former Senate President Ahmed Lawan and Governors Douye Diri (Bayelsa), Bassey Otu (Cross River), and Ahmed Ododo (Kogi). However, as he approached Sanwo-Olu, the President seemingly bypassed him, moving instead to shake hands with Ododo who was next in line.
These developments have led political observers and analysts to speculate about a possible rift between Tinubu and Sanwo-Olu. Once regarded as a loyal political ally of the President and a key member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos, Sanwo-Olu’s recent treatment suggests that internal political tensions may be brewing.
Adding further intrigue is the recent failed impeachment attempt against the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa. The move, widely seen as politically motivated, reportedly lacked the backing of President Tinubu. Analysts believe that the fallout from this failed action may have widened the cracks between Tinubu’s political base and Sanwo-Olu’s administration.
As of the time of filing this report, neither Governor Sanwo-Olu nor the Presidency has issued a formal statement addressing his absence from the event or the growing rumors of political discord. The Lagos State Government has also remained silent, leaving the public to draw conclusions based on repeated public snubs and shifting dynamics within the ruling party in Lagos.
While the full implications of Sanwo-Olu’s absence remain uncertain, the symbolism of the moment particularly at an event so pivotal for Lagos infrastructure has not been lost on many Nigerians. Whether these instances mark a temporary disagreement or a deeper political fallout remains to be seen in the coming weeks.
