By Kolawole Ojebisi
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has dismissed rumours making the rounds about a rift between him and President Bola Tinubu as baseless media speculation fuelled by outsiders “crying more than the bereaved” by escalating narratives out of proportion.
Sanwo-olu maintained that people who take delights in reading meanings into innocuous and isolated encounters initiated the rumours.
The governor spoke with journalists on Sunday shortly after attending a high-level closed-door meeting with President Tinubu at his private residence in Ikoyi, Lagos.
He described Tinubu as both his father and leader
The governor clarified that the visit was part of a long-standing tradition by the GAC to pay Sallah homage to party elders and leaders, particularly during festive seasons.
“It’s our usual. You know, festive period Council visits and a time for Mr. President to meet with his brothers, leaders of our party… It’s something that they always look forward to,” he said.
Sanwo-Olu emphasised that the meeting was also an opportunity to offer prayers, express support for the President, and reaffirm the group’s collective commitment to the APC and its leadership.
He added that the projects delivered so far by his administration would not have been possible without the support of Tinubu, citing key achievements such as the completion of the Blue Line rail project.
Sanwo-Olu, who expressed optimism that Nigeria will soon be out of the woods, dismissed calls for protests being planned around the June 12 Democracy Day.
“What will be the basis of the protest? The economy has made a positive turn. Give this President more time,” he said.
The governor was joined by members of the influential Lagos State Governance Advisory Council, the apex political decision-making body within the Lagos chapter of the All Progressives Congress(APC).
Recall that prior to today’s meeting the public space has been awash with speculations of growing tensions between the President and the Lagos State Governor.
Amid the lingering narrative of internal discord, the governor’s public reaffirmation of his full loyalty comes as part of what insiders describe as a broader effort to realign APC structures in Lagos and prevent further political fragmentation within the party.