LAGOS, Nigeria —President Bola Tinubu departed Lagos on Tuesday, June 10, 2025, for Abuja, Nigeria’s capital, concluding a two-week stay that was punctuated by public displays of tension between him and Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
The president, who arrived in Lagos on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, participated in several events during his stay, including the 50th anniversary celebration of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the Eid al-Adha festivities.
His departure was confirmed at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, where he was seen off by Sanwo-Olu.
However, amid the ceremonies and state functions, a visible rift between Tinubu and Sanwo-Olu emerged, drawing attention across Nigeria’s political landscape.
On Saturday, May 31, 2025, during the inauguration of the first phase of the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway—comprising 30 kilometres of six-lane road—the president appeared to snub the Lagos governor in full view of attendees.
While acknowledging several dignitaries including former Senate President Ahmed Lawan, Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum, Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri, and Cross River State Governor Bassey Otu, Tinubu notably bypassed Sanwo-Olu and instead extended a handshake to Kogi State Governor Ahmed Ododo, who was standing beside him.
The episode fuelled speculation about a deepening rift between the president and the man who has twice governed Nigeria’s commercial hub under Tinubu’s political umbrella.
Further questions were raised on Thursday, June 5, 2025, when Sanwo-Olu was conspicuously absent from the flag-off of the reconstruction of the Epe-Ijebu-Ode deep seaport access road—a high-profile federal infrastructure project in Lagos.
Though a seat labelled with the governor’s name had been reserved, it remained vacant throughout the event.
Deputy Governor Femi Hamzat was present, seated in a less prominent position.
Sources familiar with the matter said the fallout stemmed from the impeachment of Lagos State House of Assembly Speaker Mudashiru Obasa in February.
Obasa was removed by a majority of legislators over allegations of financial misconduct but was reinstated 49 days later, allegedly following the intervention of Tinubu.
The political tensions were reportedly resolved during a closed-door meeting on Sunday, June 8, 2025, with the influential Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC), where Tinubu is said to have assured Sanwo-Olu, “your sins have been forgiven,” in what insiders interpreted as a formal reconciliation.
