President Bola Tinubu appeared to sidestep Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State on Saturday during the official inauguration of the first phase of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, fueling speculation of a growing rift between the two political allies.
The inauguration ceremony, held in Lagos, was attended by high-ranking government officials and dignitaries including former Senate President Ahmed Lawan; Governors Babagana Zulum (Borno), Douye Diri (Bayelsa), Bassey Otu (Cross River), and Ahmed Ododo (Kogi).
As President Tinubu made his way along the lineup of dignitaries, he exchanged pleasantries and shook hands with several of them. However, when he approached Governor Sanwo-Olu, he noticeably bypassed the Lagos governor and extended a handshake instead to Governor Ododo, who stood next in line. The incident, captured on video and widely circulated online, has reignited discussions over an alleged fallout between Tinubu and Sanwo-Olu.
The highway project, a major infrastructure initiative of the Tinubu administration, is expected to stretch over 700 kilometres along Nigeria’s southern coast. The first completed 30-kilometre segment of the six-lane road was executed by Hitech Construction Company Ltd and officially flagged off in May 2024.
Despite its ambitious scope, the project has been mired in controversy over its transparency, costs, and the demolition of structures along the beach corridor. Civil society groups and affected residents have raised concerns over insufficient consultation and compensation.
Reports of tension between Tinubu and Sanwo-Olu have circulated in political circles since February, when Lagos House of Assembly Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa, was impeached by a majority of lawmakers over alleged financial impropriety. The dramatic move reportedly did not sit well with Tinubu, who is said to have intervened behind the scenes to orchestrate Obasa’s reinstatement just 49 days later.
Observers have speculated that the impeachment episode may have strained the relationship between the President and the Lagos governor, a close political ally and protégé. Saturday’s public display has only fueled such rumours.
While neither Tinubu nor Sanwo-Olu has commented on the incident, analysts suggest the optics of the moment could indicate deeper political tensions within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos.
