President Bola Tinubu has returned to Abuja after a two-week stay in Lagos, with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu accompanying him to the Murtala Muhammed International Airport on Tuesday afternoon—signaling a possible end to their widely reported rift.
Tinubu had been in Lagos since May 27, participating in the 50th anniversary celebration of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and observing the Eid al-Adha festival with the Muslim community.
However, during his stay, speculation about a strained relationship between the president and the Lagos governor dominated political discourse.
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The tension became evident on May 31 during the inauguration of Phase 1, Section 1 (30km, six lanes) of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway. At the event, attended by several high-profile dignitaries—including former Senate President Ahmed Lawan and Governors Babagana Zulum (Borno), Douye Diri (Bayelsa), and Bassey Otu (Cross River)—Tinubu shook hands with each official in line. But when he reached Sanwo-Olu, the president appeared to snub him, bypassing the governor and instead greeting Kogi State Governor Ahmed Ododo, who stood next.
The perceived tension deepened on June 5 when Sanwo-Olu was conspicuously absent at the flag-off of the deep seaport access road reconstruction in the Epe-Ijebu Ode axis. Though his seat was labeled, it remained empty, while his deputy, Femi Hamzat, was seen seated behind it.
Reports suggest that Tinubu reconciled with Sanwo-Olu during a meeting with the Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC) on Sunday. During the meeting, the president was quoted as telling the governor that his “sins have been forgiven.”
The fallout is believed to have stemmed from the controversial impeachment of Mudashiru Obasa as Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly in February, following allegations of financial misconduct. Obasa was reinstated after 49 days, reportedly due to Tinubu’s intervention.
With Sanwo-Olu accompanying Tinubu to the airport, it appears both leaders may have moved past the dispute—at least for now.