The Lagos State Government has denied claims of a falling-out between President Bola Tinubu and Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, insisting that reports of tension between both leaders are baseless.
Speaking during an appearance on Channels Television’s Morning Brief, the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, said rumours of a disagreement between the president and the governor are largely driven by speculation.
“How will a father say there is no future in his home? The President is a father to Mr Sanwo-Olu. Apart from that, most of things that you hear are mere speculations and imaginary things that people imagine,” he said.
Omotoso maintained that there has been no sign from the president to suggest he is unhappy with the Lagos governor.
“The President has not told anybody that he is not pleased with Mr Sanwo-Olu. If he is not pleased with Mr Sanwo-Olu, he will not be coming to say that Mr Sanwo-Olu should host him for him to be seeing all of the things that he conceived in those days,” he stated.
He further explained that although the president, as Commander-in-Chief, can visit any part of the country at any time, such visits often point to a good relationship with the state government involved.
He said, “no President would visit a state if he is not happy with the state governor.”
Addressing discussions around who could succeed Sanwo-Olu when his tenure ends in 2027, Omotoso said no such conversation is currently taking place within government circles.
“That is not even being discussed as far as I am concerned. Of course, social media rumours, speculations all over the place. The question of succession would be discussed,” he said.
The commissioner also defended the reported N279 billion cost of the Ojota-Opebi Link Bridge project, saying the scale and features of the development justify the amount being spent.
“Have you seen the bridge? It is not anywhere, not everywhere in Nigeria that you can find this kind of bridge that has 5.04 kilometres with roads, about 2.80 part of it is bridged,” he said.
He added, “For you to have all of these facilities in one place, it must cost a fortune.”
