Tinubu Snubs Sanwo-Olu In Lagos! Cold Standoff Sparks Talk Of Political Fallout

The once-close alliance between President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu is reportedly facing serious strain, with multiple developments pointing to a growing rift that could significantly impact the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 elections.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Although neither party has issued public comments, senior APC figures at the state, zonal, and national levels confirm a breakdown in the political camaraderie that once defined their relationship.

During Tinubu’s recent visit to Lagos, tensions became visible. At Murtala Muhammed Airport, eyewitnesses reported that the president bypassed Sanwo-Olu and instead greeted Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat—a gesture interpreted by many as intentional. Insiders claim presidential aides edited arrival footage to downplay the incident and avoid fueling speculation.

Further fueling the rumors, Sanwo-Olu was notably absent from Tinubu’s journey to his Ikoyi residence—a role traditionally reserved for the sitting governor—and was also missing at major events during the visit, including the 50th anniversary of ECOWAS at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, where a goodwill address from the Lagos governor was expected.

A member of Sanwo-Olu’s media team attributed his absence to “an important engagement,” though the explanation has been widely dismissed as evasive.

The root of the fallout may stem from an alleged plot to unseat Lagos State House of Assembly Speaker Mudashiru Obasa. Reports suggest Sanwo-Olu backed 32 of 40 lawmakers in supporting Obasa’s removal, aiming to install Mojisola Meranda. However, President Tinubu reportedly intervened to halt the plan and reinstate Obasa, sending a strong message to the governor.

“That move was seen as a direct threat to Tinubu’s political architecture,” a senior Lagos politician said. “In Lagos politics, betrayal has long-term consequences.”

During the recent APC local government primaries, Sanwo-Olu’s influence appeared diminished. Unlike in the past, he had little say in nominating candidates across the state’s 57 LGAs and LCDAs. Even the Governance Advisory Council (GAC), once aligned with his administration, reportedly lost its influence due to a presidential directive aimed at regaining grassroots control.

Sanwo-Olu’s absence at the APC National Policy and Performance Review Summit in Abuja—where Tinubu received formal endorsement for a second term—added to perceptions of his growing political isolation. There are also rumors he may have been unofficially barred from the Presidential Villa due to recent tensions.

Further complicating matters is the controversy involving Aisha Achimugu, a businesswoman currently under EFCC investigation. While the anti-graft agency has denied political motivations, insiders say the scandal has been used by internal rivals to tarnish Sanwo-Olu’s image.

Observers point to a familiar pattern: Tinubu’s protégés often face political setbacks once they attempt to assert independence. Former Governors Babatunde Fashola and Akinwunmi Ambode experienced similar tensions. Fashola narrowly secured a second term in 2011, while Ambode was denied re-election in 2019—clearing the path for Sanwo-Olu, then considered more loyal.

Now, history may be repeating itself. Critics argue that this cycle of loyalty-based leadership weakens governance in Lagos, as successive administrations abandon their predecessors’ key projects in favor of new political agendas.

“Each time a fallout occurs, major developmental projects are shelved to accommodate new interests,” a political analyst said. “In the end, it’s the people of Lagos who suffer from this constant disruption.”