The development was confirmed by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, who shared on X (formerly Twitter): “More eminent Nigerians pay Sallah homage to President Tinubu in Lagos on Sunday.” A group photograph of President Tinubu, Governor Sanwo-Olu, and members of the GAC was taken during the courtesy visit.
Governor Sanwo-Olu also posted on X, saying, “Today, along with members of the Governance Advisory Council, we paid a Sallah visit to His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to extend our greetings and best wishes during this special season.”
While addressing the media, Sanwo-Olu reaffirmed Tinubu’s unwavering support for Lagos State, particularly in transportation infrastructure. “We all came around to felicitate with him, to pray with him and wish him well, and to inform him that Lagosians and everyone is happy with him. We can feel and see the impact of what he has done in the last two years. He has our best wishes and support at all times,” the governor said.
He further emphasized Tinubu’s role in the federal government’s subsidy removal policy and his backing of the Blue Rail Line, including the recent unveiling of its Three Train at the National Theatre Station.
The visit appears to have publicly dispelled growing speculation about a strained relationship between Tinubu and Sanwo-Olu. Rumors of a rift had emerged following a video from the May 31 inauguration of Phase 1 of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, in which Tinubu was perceived to have snubbed the governor. Sanwo-Olu’s absence at the flag-off of reconstruction works on the Epe-Ijebu Ode deep seaport access road in early June further fueled those suspicions.
However, Sunday’s visit, marked by warmth and camaraderie, may have served to calm tensions and reaffirm the political alignment between the President and the Lagos State Governor.
ADEOLA KUNLE
