Sanwo-Olu Absent as Tinubu Flags Off Lagos Deep Seaport Access Road Reconstruction

President Bola Tinubu on Thursday officially flagged off the reconstruction of the deep seaport access road in the Epe area of Lagos State, but notably, Lagos Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu was absent from the ceremony. The event, held in the Ijebu-Ode vicinity, saw the presence of several dignitaries, including Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum and Lagos Deputy Governor Femi Hamzat, who took Sanwo-Olu’s place at the event. Sanwo-Olu’s seat was visibly marked but remained empty, while Tinubu addressed his remarks primarily to Deputy Governor Hamzat.

During the event, President Tinubu issued a stern warning to governors against granting planning approvals for unauthorized developments on road setbacks and maritime zones. He emphasized the need for collaboration with federal surveyors and the Ministry of Works to ensure proper oversight and stated that all existing illegal approvals, particularly those involving unauthorized islands, would be revoked.

The Lagos State government has yet to provide an official explanation for Governor Sanwo-Olu’s absence. However, observers suggest it may be connected to ongoing tensions between the president and the governor. Just two days earlier, Tinubu appeared to deliberately bypass Sanwo-Olu during the inauguration of the first phase of the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway, greeting other governors but ignoring the Lagos governor.

This apparent discord is thought to stem from the political fallout following the impeachment of Mudashiru Obasa as Speaker of the Lagos State Assembly earlier this year. Obasa’s removal over allegations of financial misconduct was overturned after 49 days, reportedly due to Tinubu’s intervention, fueling speculation of a rift between the president and Sanwo-Olu.