Lagos political storm clears as Tinubu forgives Sanwo-Olu in GAC-brokered truce

• Atiku’s ally Sowunmi visits Tinubu as Lagos PDP members set to defect to APC
• Former A’Ibom gov insists on non-interference after Eno’s political shift

The political storm cloud hanging over Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, was swept away yesterday as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu gave him a public endorsement, dispelling lingering speculations of a rift between them.

At a high-stakes reconciliation meeting held at the President’s private residence in Ikoyi, Lagos, Tinubu, long regarded as Sanwo-Olu’s political mentor and benefactor, reportedly declared: “All is over. There is no need to beat around the bush or go into unnecessary talk. Continue with your work.”

The remarks were made before key members of the Lagos State Governance Advisory Council (GAC), the apex decision-making body of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, led by its chairman, Tajudeen Olusi. The council had accompanied Sanwo-Olu to plead for forgiveness and reaffirm political loyalty.

This dramatic intervention followed days of swirling rumours and public tension. Since Tinubu’s arrival in Lagos last week, Sanwo-Olu had been visibly sidelined from major public engagements. The situation reached a climax when Tinubu appeared to snub the governor by refusing a handshake during a public event, an act that set off a firestorm of speculations over a fallout ahead of the 2027 elections.

Sources told The Guardian that the reconciliation meeting was facilitated after behind-the-scenes efforts by influential GAC members, who were alarmed by the escalating political drama. Olusi, in particular, was said to have appealed to Tinubu to forgive the governor, acknowledging that the President had been visibly unhappy with certain developments in Lagos.

Chairman of the GAC, Alhaji Olusi, reportedly told the President: “We know you are not pleased with some of us, especially the governor. We ask for mercy.”

In response, Tinubu, according to multiple sources present at the meeting, said: “It’s all over now. All is forgiven.”

The President also told Sanwo-Olu and the GAC members to go ahead with the planned local government elections scheduled to be held on July 12, saying, “I am too busy for council matters. Go ahead and ensure the right thing is done. Give fair opportunities to everyone.”

At that moment, Sanwo-Olu and members of the council were said to have prostrated before the President in a symbolic gesture of reconciliation and loyalty.

Though neither Sanwo-Olu nor Tinubu publicly confirmed a dispute, APC insiders at national, zonal, and state levels had hinted at growing friction. Sources cited Sanwo-Olu’s alleged attempts to assert greater independence by marginalising Tinubu loyalists within the state’s political structure.

One flashpoint, insiders said, was the perceived attempt to weaken the influence of Lagos State House of Assembly Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa—a close Tinubu ally. These moves, reportedly involving strategic reshuffling of appointments, did not sit well with the President.

Before the GAC-led visit, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, had also visited the President in Ikoyi. The monarch later told journalists that he was on a courtesy visit for the Sallah break and to debrief the President on his recent trip to Kazakhstan. However, palace insiders suggest that royal intervention was also part of the mediation efforts.

After the GAC meeting, Sanwo-Olu departed the residence in a white Coaster bus alongside other council members, visibly relaxed and smiling. Deputy Governor, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, also left the venue shortly after, waving to onlookers.

Emerging from the closed-door meeting, Sanwo-Olu dismissed reports of any feud with the President. He told journalists: “Do you see any discord? Can’t you see when you are smiling, I’m smiling? There’s none. He’s my father, he’s my leader.”

He described the meeting as a routine festive visit by the GAC to the President, saying it was an opportunity to pray with him, extend well-wishes, and reaffirm support for his leadership.

On rising media narratives around the alleged conflict, Sanwo-Olu quipped: “People are crying more than the bereaved. The stories are baseless and misleading.”

The governor also seized the opportunity to back Tinubu’s economic policies, citing recent improvements. “The economy has made a positive bend. What will be the basis of any protest? Give this President more time,” he said, referring to calls by some groups for protests on June 12.

Sanwo-Olu credited Tinubu’s federal backing for recent milestones in Lagos, including the Blue Line rail expansion, fuel price stabilisation, and food interventions.

He reaffirmed his loyalty and that of the GAC to the President and the party, promising a united front ahead of upcoming local government elections.

Sources disclosed to The Guardian that GAC members had reached out to traditional rulers across Yorubaland to mediate before the situation became politically irreparable. While Tinubu has a long-standing reputation for political tolerance, insiders say the President expected strict loyalty, especially from his Lagos base.

Atiku’s ally Sowunmi visits Tinubu as Lagos PDP members set to defect to APC
Segun Sowunmi, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and former spokesperson for Atiku Abubakar, paid a Sallah homage to President Bola Tinubu yesterday.

In a brief post on his X account, Sowunmi wrote: “I spent quality time with the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, President Bola Tinubu. It was engaging and nostalgic.”

The visit has fuelled speculation of Sowunmi’s possible defection from the PDP.

Political analysts suggest that this development marks a strategic weakening of the core team around Atiku, as the presidency has reportedly co-opted former Atiku allies, including Daniel Bwala and Reno Omokri.

Meanwhile, members of the Lagos State Working Committee (SWC) of the PDP, a former deputy governorship candidate from the 2015 general elections, and candidates from the 2023 Lagos House of Assembly elections are expected to announce their defection to the All Progressives Congress today.

A source close to one of the defecting members disclosed that the announcement would take place at a meeting at the Lagos4Lagos Movement secretariat in Ikeja. The group is led by Dr Olajide Adediran (Jandor), the 2023 PDP governorship candidate who defected to the APC earlier this year, citing indiscipline within the PDP.

It was also gathered that a former deputy governorship candidate, who hails from Badagry, and another prominent PDP chieftain would be joined by their supporters in defecting to the APC today.
Former A’Ibom gov insists on non-interference after Eno’s political shift
Former Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Udom Emmanuel, has spoken out following the recent defection of his successor, Governor Umo Eno, from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress.

Eno, who was widely believed to have been handpicked and supported by Emmanuel during the 2023 gubernatorial elections, surprised political observers on Friday when he formally joined the APC at an event in Uyo. The defection has sparked speculation about Emmanuel’s stance on the move.

In a statement issued yesterday by his media assistant, Stephen Abia, Emmanuel clarified his decision not to comment on the political development, reiterating his commitment to non-interference in the current administration’s affairs.

Titled “Why Udom Emmanuel Will Not React to the Political Development”, the statement dismissed reports circulating on some online platforms alleging that Emmanuel had made public remarks about Eno’s defection.

“The immediate past Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Mr Udom Emmanuel, CON, has neither issued a statement nor granted an interview in response to political developments in his home State. This is in line with his decision to allow the Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, PhD, of the state a free hand to run the state without interference,” the statement said.

Abia added that Emmanuel has fully transitioned to private life since leaving office in 2023 and has deliberately avoided political commentary as part of his post-office principles.

“As you have observed, he is keeping to his promise of returning to his private practice, and allowing the governor to take full charge of moving the state forward,” Abia stated.

The statement also challenged any media outlet or individual claiming that Emmanuel had commented on the matter to provide credible evidence.

“The general public is hereby urged to discountenance a news report, emanating from an obscure online news platform, purporting a reaction from him,” the statement read. “Anyone who claims the immediate past governor has granted a recent interview should publish a video or audio clip of the said conversation.”