President Bola Tinubu has congratulated Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on his 60th birthday, days after publicly reconciling with the governor and declaring that all was forgiven.
In a statement issued on Wednesday on Instagram by presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu commended Sanwo-Olu for his commitment to the development of Lagos and praised his alignment with the long-term vision laid during his own tenure as governor between 1999 and 2007.
“Your execution of this vision is exemplified by landmark achievements, including completing the Blue and Red Rail lines and the ongoing preparations for the Purple Line, which will serve the vital Lekki corridor. I urge you to sustain this trajectory by prioritising impactful projects for Lagosians, notably the long-awaited Fourth Mainland Bridge and the Freedom Way to Victoria Garden City (VGC) Road,” the statement read in part.
The president added, “I also wish you continued good health, longevity, and many more years of invaluable service to Lagos State and Nigeria.”
Sanwo-Olu, who is the sixth democratically elected governor of Lagos, rose through the political ranks under Tinubu’s mentorship. He previously served in key public service roles, including as managing director of the Lagos State property development corporation and as commissioner in three ministries economic planning and budget; commerce and industry; and establishments, training and pensions.
Also celebrating the governor, First Lady Oluremi Tinubu described him as an exemplary leader. In a goodwill message personally signed on Wednesday, she praised Sanwo-Olu’s dedication to governance and selfless service.
“I join your family, associates and well-wishers to celebrate you on your attainment of 60 years of a glorious life,” she said.
“Your dedication to service has set you apart as an exemplary leader,” she continued, praying for “more wisdom, strength, and divine health to fulfill your God-ordained purpose.”
The birthday message comes on the heels of a recent reconciliation between Tinubu and Sanwo-Olu, following months of speculation about a rift between the two.
Tensions between both men came to the fore in May when Tinubu pointedly refused to shake Sanwo-Olu’s hand during the commissioning of Phase 1 of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway. The governor was also noticeably excluded from a presidency statement listing dignitaries who arrived for the ECOWAS at 50 celebration and the Sallah holiday.
A presidency source at the time explained that the president’s actions were an expression of dissatisfaction with Sanwo-Olu. The source attributed the rift to Tinubu’s loss of Lagos to Peter Obi of the Labour Party during the 2023 presidential election, while Sanwo-Olu won re-election shortly after.
Earlier this month, the matter was laid to rest after a peace meeting was facilitated by the Governance Advisory Council (GAC), the top advisory body to the Lagos governor. The meeting, held at Tinubu’s residence in Ikoyi, was led by APC chieftain Tajudeen Olusi, who appealed to the president to forgive the governor.
Speaking after the reconciliation, Sanwo-Olu told the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) that there was no dispute with Tinubu.
“Did you see any discord? There is none. There are people that believe that they are more Catholic than the Pope. There are things that you see people that cry more than the bereaved,” he said.
“Father and son are things we will always ensure that we clear. It’s nothing at all. He’s my father, he’s my leader. And we are grateful that he has given us the audience today to come in and say hello to him.”
