Lagos State Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu has officially addressed swirling speculations regarding an alleged fallout with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, firmly denying any rift between the two political figures.
This comes in response to a viral video that sparked widespread rumors across social media platforms and among political commentators, suggesting a possible snub during a public event.
Speaking during an interview on the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) on Sunday, Governor Sanwo-Olu dismissed the notion that there was any form of discord between him and the president.
The issue gained traction after footage from the commissioning of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway on May 31 showed President Tinubu appearing to overlook Governor Sanwo-Olu while exchanging greetings with other dignitaries. In the video, Tinubu shook hands with a line of officials but seemingly bypassed Sanwo-Olu, sparking conversations about an alleged snub.
[blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560"]
Shock as President Tinubu Publicly Snubs Governor Sanwo-Olu at High-Profile Event
In a surprising turn of events that has left political observers and attendees stunned, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu appeared to publicly snub Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu during a major… pic.twitter.com/F9TyRlteNG
— The Guardian Nigeria (@GuardianNigeria) May 31, 2025
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Speculations intensified when Sanwo-Olu was noticeably absent during the commissioning of the Lekki Deep Sea Port Access Road project held within Lagos State, which had in attendance several other governors including those from Ogun, Abia, Borno, and Plateau states.
However, during the NTA interview, Governor Sanwo-Olu clarified the nature of his relationship with the president, describing it as strong and respectful. He categorically dismissed the idea of a rift as “baseless,” and emphasized that their relationship remains intact.
“Did you see any discord? Did you see any? Can’t you see I’m smiling? There’s none,” Sanwo-Olu said with a smile.
He further noted that people often misinterpret public events and attempt to read non-existent meanings into them.
“You know, there are people who believe they are more Catholic than the Pope. There are things you see people do; they cry more than the bereaved,” he said in a light-hearted tone.
Sanwo-Olu reaffirmed his loyalty and gratitude to President Tinubu, whom he described as a father and mentor.
“You know, father and son are things we always, always ensure we are clear. There’s nothing at all. He is my father, he is my leader, and we are grateful that he gave us the audience today to come in and say hello to him,” the governor concluded.
The governor’s public reassurance is expected to put an end to the mounting speculations and reinforce confidence in the continued alliance between the Lagos State Government and the presidency.