BETWEEN TINUBU AND SANWO-OLU BY DANIEL

Fresh reports indicate growing unease within President Bola Tinubu’s political circle, as sources close to the presidency reveal mounting dissatisfaction with Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

Once seen as a loyal protégé and beneficiary of Tinubu’s political machinery, Sanwo-Olu is now reportedly falling out of favor, signaling possible shifts within the ranks of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The signs of strain became public during Tinubu’s recent visit to Lagos. At Murtala Muhammed Airport, the President was seen bypassing a customary handshake with Sanwo-Olu, opting instead to greet Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat. Insiders claim Tinubu’s media aides were instructed to keep the footage out of public circulation to avoid fueling speculation. “It took last-minute negotiations to get the governor included in the reception at all,” a party source revealed.

Further actions during the visit solidified the apparent rift. Sanwo-Olu was excluded from Tinubu’s stop at his Bourdillon residence, a gesture typically reserved for the sitting governor. He was also noticeably absent from key events, including the ECOWAS 50th anniversary held in Lagos.

At the heart of the fallout appears to be Sanwo-Olu’s alleged backing of a failed move to unseat Lagos State House of Assembly Speaker Mudashiru Obasa. Tinubu reportedly intervened to halt the effort, which has since caused a significant erosion of trust. “This isn’t just politics, it’s personal,” one former Lagos commissioner commented. “The President feels betrayed, and he rarely forgets.”

The tension has reportedly translated into Sanwo-Olu’s political isolation. He was not present at the recent APC National Policy and Performance Review Summit in Abuja, where President Tinubu received a formal endorsement for re-election. Party sources believe this absence was no coincidence.

Sanwo-Olu’s dwindling influence is also evident in preparations for the upcoming local government elections. None of the chairmanship candidates appear to be from his camp, an unusual departure from past norms. APC directives have curtailed governors’ involvement in candidate selection, with Tinubu’s inner circle seemingly reasserting control.

Several aspirants linked to the governor were reportedly dropped during the screening phase or withdrew under pressure. Meanwhile, the once-powerful Governance Advisory Council, long considered a pillar of APC power in Lagos, has seen its relevance fade.

With Sanwo-Olu’s second and final term ending in 2027, insiders suggest that deeper power realignments may lie ahead as Tinubu’s camp consolidates control over Lagos politics.