Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, was conspicuously absent on Monday when President Bola Tinubu hosted state governors, ministers, and key government officials to an Iftar dinner at the State House in Abuja.
His absence has triggered speculation, especially considering the recent leadership crisis that has been unfolding in the Lagos State House of Assembly. The event, which brought together several high-profile political figures, was attended by Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his predecessor, now Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike. Their attendance was particularly notable in light of the ongoing power struggle in Rivers State. A recent Supreme Court ruling reinstated 27 lawmakers loyal to Wike, further complicating Fubara’s hold on the state assembly. Fubara’s subsequent invitation to these legislators for a meeting following the judgment underscored the growing tensions in Rivers politics.
At the Iftar dinner, key figures present included Vice President Kashim Shettima, Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila, and various cabinet members. A number of state governors were also in attendance, including Alex Otti (Abia), Umo Eno (Akwa Ibom), Bala Mohammed (Bauchi), Hyacinth Alia (Benue), Babagana Zulum (Borno), Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta), Monday Okpebholo (Edo), Muhammad Yahaya (Gombe), Umar Namadi (Jigawa), Uba Sani (Kaduna), Abba Kabir Yusuf (Kano), Nasir Idris (Kebbi), AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq (Kwara), Abdullahi Sule (Nasarawa), Mohammed Bago (Niger), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Lucky Aiyedatiwa (Ondo), Duoye Diri (Bayelsa), and Francis Nwifuru (Ebonyi).
Other notable attendees included heads of key agencies such as the Chairman of the National Hajj Commission, Professor Abdullahi Mukhtar Muhammad, Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service Sylvester Nwakuche, and Comptroller-General of the Federal Fire Service Jaji Abdulganiyu. Also present were the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, Farouk Ahmed, and the CEO of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, Mele Kyari.
Sanwo-Olu’s absence has only fueled ongoing speculation about political dynamics in Lagos, particularly amid the leadership crisis in the state assembly. It remains unclear whether his absence was due to a scheduling conflict or if it signals deeper political tensions within the state.
