Exclusive News can now reveal the main reason behind the  potential political rift between Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The rift appeared to have been resolved following Sanwo Olu’s Sallah homage visit to the President’s residence in Lagos.

Facts have started emerging  at the root causes of their strained relationship.

President Tinubu, had on Monday received Governor Sanwo-Olu, and key members of the Lagos Governance Advisory Council (GAC), the highest decision-making body of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, during the Eid-el-Kabir celebration in Ikoyi. The images that emerged from the meeting was interpreted as a public declaration that tensions between the two leaders have eased.

Multiple sources had previously alleged that Sanwo-Olu fell out of favour with Tinubu, his political mentor and predecessor, over accusations that he covertly supported Atiku Abubakar, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, during the 2023 elections—an act seen as disloyal to Tinubu, who was the APC candidate at the time.

The relationship reportedly worsened over the controversial impeachment saga involving the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa. The move to oust Obasa, allegedly supported by Governor Sanwo-Olu and some GAC members, reportedly displeased President Tinubu. The impeachment was later overturned by the Assembly itself and nullified by a court ruling that reinstated Obasa.

While the rumour of a rift remained speculative for months, it gained traction following a widely circulated video showing President Tinubu seemingly snubbing Sanwo-Olu during the inauguration of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway on May 31. The governor’s absence at subsequent key federal events in Lagos only fueled the suspicions.

However, speaking to reporters at the President’s residence on Sunday, Sanwo-Olu tried to downplay the controversy—though his remarks seemed to acknowledge that there had indeed been a period of friction.

“Did you see any discord? Can’t you see—even you are smiling and I am smiling? There is none,” Sanwo-Olu said. “You know, there are people who believe they are more Catholic than the Pope… You see people who cry more than the bereaved. Father and son—there’s nothing at all. He’s my father, he’s my leader, and we are grateful that he gave us audience today to come in and say hello.”

In a more direct admission, Lagos APC Chairman Hon. Cornelius Ojelabi added, “It’s all over now. All is forgiven.”

While both leaders presented a united front, the developments suggest that recent political events may have tested the long-standing relationship between Sanwo-Olu and his political godfather. Sunday’s Sallah visit, however, signals a strategic reconciliation that could stabilize the Lagos APC ahead of the 2027 elections.