Lagos state governor Sanwo-Olu was absent on Thursday when President Bola Tinubu officially started the reconstruction of a major road project in the Epe, Ijebu-Ode area.
Many important officials attended the event, including Babagana Zulum (governor of Borno state) and Femi Hamzat (Lagos deputy governor).
According to a report by The Cable, a seat was clearly marked for Sanwo-Olu, but he didn’t turn up. His deputy, Hamzat, sat behind the empty chair instead.
When President Tinubu spoke at the event, he addressed his comments to the deputy governor rather than speaking about the absent governor.
During his speech, the president also told state governors to stop approving building plans for illegal islands and developments that are built too close to roads and waterways.
“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,” the president 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.”
The Lagos government hasn’t officially explained why Sanwo-Olu was absent, but it could be connected to reported tensions between him and the president.
Just last Saturday, President Tinubu publicly ignored Sanwo-Olu during another event – the opening of part of the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway.
Several important people attended that event, including former Senate President Ahmed Lawan, Governor Zulum, Douye Diri (governor of Bayelsa), and Bassey Otu (governor of Cross River).
As President Tinubu walked along the line of officials, he shook hands and greeted each person. But when he reached Sanwo-Olu, he completely skipped him and went straight to greet Ahmed Ododo, the governor of Kogi state, who was standing next to him.
People are speculating that the two politicians have fallen out over what happened with Mudashiru Obasa, who was the Lagos assembly speaker.
Obasa was kicked out of his position by most lawmakers in February because they accused him of financial wrongdoing. However, he got his job back after 49 days, reportedly because President Tinubu stepped in to help him.
