The once formidable political alliance between President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu is beginning to show clear signs of strain, sparking concern among stakeholders within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) as the 2027 general elections draw nearer.
Credible sources within the APC at the state, zonal, and national levels have confirmed that the relationship between Tinubu and Sanwo-Olu—once described as “unshakable”—has quietly deteriorated over the past several months. Insiders point to disagreements over political appointments, control of party structures in Lagos, and broader succession plans as key reasons behind the growing tension.
These undercurrents were publicly exposed during President Tinubu’s recent visit to Lagos. Eyewitnesses at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport observed what they described as a “deliberate cold shoulder” when the President’s motorcade arrived. In a scene that shocked many party loyalists, President Tinubu reportedly ignored Governor Sanwo-Olu and instead exchanged pleasantries with Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat—an action that many interpreted as a calculated message.
In a bid to prevent a media frenzy, sources close to the presidency disclosed that Tinubu’s media handlers were instructed to heavily edit the footage of the arrival, omitting any frame that could suggest hostility or tension between the President and the Lagos Governor. However, leaked mobile videos and insider accounts from party members present at the event have already ignited widespread speculation, further intensifying public scrutiny.
Political analysts believe the cracks in the Tinubu-Sanwo-Olu relationship could be symptomatic of a broader power struggle in Lagos politics. Governor Sanwo-Olu, now in his second term, is rumored to be exploring increased autonomy from political godfathers—a move that reportedly has not sat well with key figures within the Tinubu political family.
"This is not just a small misunderstanding. The silence is loud. The Governor's body language is changing, and the President isn’t hiding his displeasure anymore," a top APC chieftain familiar with the situation disclosed.
With 2027 on the horizon, party insiders fear that if left unresolved, the rift could fracture the APC’s dominance in Lagos—a state regarded as the party’s stronghold and the political launchpad of President Tinubu himself. Several interest groups within the party are already positioning themselves to fill any vacuum that may arise if the cold war escalates.
As of press time, neither President Tinubu nor Governor Sanwo-Olu has released a formal statement addressing the tension, fueling speculation that both camps are keen on managing the fallout behind closed doors—at least for now.
Whether this quiet battle remains in the shadows or erupts into open confrontation in the coming months could shape not only the future of Lagos politics but also have ripple effects across the national landscape.