THE absence of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu from the commissioning of key projects in Lagos on Wednesday has further fuelled speculation of a rift between him and Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, despite firm denials by the state government.
News Point Nigeria reports that although the President has been in Lagos since the weekend and the events were widely publicised ahead of his visit, he was conspicuously absent at the ceremonies, leaving Senate President Godswill Akpabio to perform the commissioning on his behalf.
Akpabio inaugurated the Opebi-Mende-Ojota Link Bridge and the Multi-Agency Complex in Alausa, which has now been renamed the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Administrative Complex, as part of activities scheduled for the President’s working visit to the state.
The event drew several high-profile dignitaries, including governors elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who attended in solidarity with the Lagos State governor.
Among them were Dapo Abiodun, Douye Diri, Babagana Zulum, and Hope Uzodimma, who also chairs the APC Governors’ Forum.
It was, however, unclear why the President did not attend the commissioning personally.
Speaking at the event, Akpabio stated that he was carrying out the assignment on behalf of the President, noting that the projects reflect ongoing efforts to improve infrastructure and service delivery in Lagos State.
The commissioning is part of a broader rollout of projects delivered by the Sanwo-Olu administration, including the Ojota-Opebi Link Bridge, the Tolu Schools Complex in Ajegunle, Maracana Stadium, and the Lagos Food Logistics Hub in Abijo.
Earlier, the Lagos State Government had announced partial road closures in affected areas to ensure the smooth conduct of the events, advising motorists to use alternative routes to minimise traffic disruptions.
Meanwhile, the Lagos State Government had also dismissed claims of any rift between President Tinubu and Governor Sanwo-Olu, describing such reports as unfounded speculation.
Speaking on Morning Brief monitored by News Point Nigeria, the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, insisted that the relationship between the two leaders remains intact.
“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 the things that you hear are mere speculations and imaginary things that people imagine,” Omotoso said.
He added that the President had not expressed any dissatisfaction with the governor, noting that such a scenario would have reflected in his actions.
“The President has not told anybody that he is not pleased with Mr Sanwo-Olu. If he is not pleased with him, he will not be coming to say that Mr Sanwo-Olu should host him and showcase what he conceived in those days,” he said.
Omotoso further argued that, as President and Commander-in-Chief, Tinubu has the prerogative to visit any state, stressing that no President would honour an invitation to a state where he is unhappy with the governor.
He also addressed the political situation in Lagos ahead of the end of Sanwo-Olu’s tenure on May 29, 2027, noting that discussions around succession have not yet begun.
“That is not even being discussed as far as I am concerned. Of course, social media rumours and speculations are all over the place. The question of succession would be discussed,” he said.
The commissioner also defended the cost of the Ojota-Opebi Link Bridge, reportedly put at about N279 billion, maintaining that the scale and quality of the project justify the expenditure.
Despite the official denials, Tinubu’s absence from such a high-profile event in Lagos—widely regarded as his political base has continued to generate debate, with observers closely watching for further signals as political activities gradually build toward the next electoral cycle.