Lagos, Nigeria — Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu was noticeably absent on Thursday, June 5, 2025, during the official flag-off of the reconstruction of the deep seaport access road in the Epe–Ijebu-Ode axis, an event attended by President Bola Tinubu and several top officials.
The absence of Sanwo-Olu — whose seat was clearly marked — added fuel to growing speculation about a political rift between the governor and the president, his long-time political mentor.
In his place, Deputy Governor Femi Hamzat represented the state government and sat behind the empty seat reserved for his principal.
President Tinubu, speaking at the event, directed his comments pointedly to Hamzat and used the platform to caution state governors against unauthorised urban development approvals.
“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 on these roads,” Tinubu said.
“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.”
No official explanation has been given by the Lagos State Government regarding Sanwo-Olu’s absence from the high-profile event, but it follows a separate incident on Saturday, May 31, 2025, that further stoked rumours of strained relations between the two men.
During the inauguration of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway Phase 1, Tinubu appeared to snub Sanwo-Olu in full public view.
While greeting dignitaries, the president bypassed the governor and extended his hand instead to Kogi State Governor Ahmed Ododo, who was next in line.
Tensions are believed to have simmered since the controversial impeachment and reinstatement of Lagos Assembly Speaker Mudashiru Obasa earlier this year.
Obasa, a close ally of Tinubu, was removed from office in February by lawmakers over alleged financial misconduct but returned to his position after 49 days, reportedly following direct intervention from the presidency.
Sanwo-Olu has yet to publicly comment on either his absence at Thursday’s event or the apparent tension with the president.
Political observers note that public distancing between Tinubu and his political protégés has historically signalled deeper internal disagreements within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), particularly in Lagos — the president’s traditional power base.
While Deputy Governor Hamzat remained composed throughout the ceremony, Tinubu’s pointed remarks and the optics of Sanwo-Olu’s absence have reignited debate about the evolving dynamics between Nigeria’s top political figures.
