By Abiola Olawale
It appears President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has formally forgiven Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu for the latter’s alleged political impropriety and inappropriate conduct.
The governor has repeatedly been accused of demonstrating disloyalty or betrayal to Tinubu during the 2023 presidential elections.
This has been greeted by weeks of speculated tension and anxieties between staunch loyalists of Tinubu and those of his political godson, Sanwo-Olu.
It was gathered that the rift between Tinubu and Sanwo-Olu was resolved during a meeting with members of the Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC) on Sunday.
According to reports, Tinubu, during the meeting, declared , “It’s all over now. All is forgiven,” signaling a resolution to the rift that had sparked widespread discussion within Nigeria’s political circles.
It was gathered that the development came after a reconciliation was facilitated by the influential members of the GAC.
Also, Sanwo-Olu, at the end of the meeting denied reports of any rift between him and Tinubu, dismissing the rumour as baseless media speculation driven by outsiders “crying more than the bereaved.”
Sanwo-Olu made this known while speaking to journalists on Sunday shortly after attending the high-level closed-door meeting with President Tinubu at his private residence in Ikoyi, Lagos.
He questioned: “Do you see any discord? Can’t you see when you are smiling, I’m smiling? There’s none. He’s my father, he’s my leader,” the governor said. “People are just crying more than the bereaved.”
The New Diplomat reports that political ties or relationships between Tinubu and Sanwo-Olu had been negatively impacted following the reported frosty relationship.
Recall that insider sources within the All Progressives Congress (APC), who spoke with The New Diplomat had confirmed that at the heart of the reported issues confronting the governor is his alleged controversial connection to Madam Aisha Achimugu, a prominent Abuja based socialite and perceived ally of the governor, who has been allegedly linked to allegations of funneling funds to some opposition figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar during the 2023 Presidential elections.
Recall also that Sanwo-Olu had been sighted and indeed fingered for allegedly attending Achimugu’s lavish 50th birthday celebration held in Grenada last year.
When photos of the Lagos State Governor’s attendance at the lavish event went public, a development which many believed raised serious concern in top government circles, the reaction from the top hierarchy of the ruling APC was said to have been one of shock.
A top political source had revealed:” Achimugu was an ally, to some in politics, and some allegedly relied on her for high-stakes dealings. Achimugu was trusted with sensitive dealings. The plan was to play all sides, while ensuring political survival no matter who won the presidency in the 2023 presidential elections.”
Recall that in the 2023 presidential polls, Mr Peter Obi of the Labour Party won in Lagos State with Tinubu of the APC coming second. Political analysts argue that the blame lies solely at the doorstep of Governor Sanwo-Olu “for alleged political impropriety and political slip.”
Sources also revealed that the deepening rift between Tinubu and Sanwo-Olu was further fueled by allegations of political insincerity. While it is not clear how this will play out, there are claims that these dynamics may play cast slur on the once tight relationship between a political father and his political son.
Recall that Tinubu had recently snubbed Sanwo-Olu during the inauguration of Phase 1 of the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway on Saturday, May 31, 2025.
Recall also that in March, reports had emerged indicating that suspicious funds from an Abuja Socialite, Achimugu, whom Sanwo-Olu attended her 50th birthday in faraway Grenada, had somehow reached Obi and Atiku’s political inner teams, before the 2023 presidential election.
Weeks after the reports emerged, Achimugu was declared wanted by the EFCC in March 2025 for alleged criminal conspiracy and money laundering.
“The public is hereby notified that AISHA SULAIMAN ACHIMUGU, whose photograph appears above is wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in an alleged case of Criminal Conspiracy and Money Laundering.
“Achimugu, 51, is an indigene of Ofu Local Government Area of Kogi State and her last known address is: 6C, Rudolf Close, Maitama, Abuja,” EFCC said in a notice.
This report was coming against the background of the fact that some top shots of the APC in Lagos were said to be pushing to hold Governor Sanwo-Olu accountable for the loss of Lagos during the 2023 presidential elections.
However, Atiku had in the past refuted claims that Sanwo-Olu contributed funds to his campaign during the last presidential election.
Atiku said this in a statement issued by his spokesman, Paul Ibe, stating that the reports in the media that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, through Ms. Aisha Achimugu, made available to Atiku Abubakar, money purportedly belonging to Lagos State is not true.”
