Tinubu Snubs Sanwo-Olu at Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway Inauguration * Plus video 

By Omowumi Omotosho

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Saturday appeared to publicly snub Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu during the inauguration ceremony of Phase 1, Section 1 of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway in Lagos.

The high-profile event, held to mark the commissioning of the initial 30-kilometre stretch of the six-lane highway, was attended by an array of dignitaries, including former Senate President Ahmed Lawan; Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum; Bayelsa Governor Douye Diri; Cross River Governor Bassey Otu; and Kogi State Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo.

As President Tinubu made his way along the line of officials to greet attendees, he exchanged pleasantries with several dignitaries, shaking hands and briefly acknowledging their presence. However, in a moment that did not go unnoticed by onlookers and the press, Tinubu appeared to deliberately bypass Sanwo-Olu. Rather than extending a handshake to the Lagos governor, Tinubu reached past him and greeted Governor Ododo of Kogi State, who stood next in line.

The gesture has since fueled growing speculation of a widening rift between the president and the Lagos governor, particularly following recent political tensions in the state.

There are speculation that the snub may be linked to the controversial impeachment and subsequent reinstatement of Mudashiru Obasa, Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly.

Obasa was removed in February over allegations of financial misconduct, only to be reinstated 49 days later, reportedly after Tinubu’s intervention. Sanwo-Olu was widely believed to have maintained a neutral or distant stance during the Assembly crisis, a move some insiders claim did not sit well with the president.

The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, one of the most ambitious infrastructure projects under the current administration, commenced construction in March 2024. The first phase, covering a 47.47-kilometre dual carriageway, is being executed by Hitech Construction Company Ltd. President Tinubu officially flagged off the project in May 2024.

While the highway is intended to enhance connectivity along Nigeria’s southern corridor, it has sparked controversy over the demolition of coastal structures and allegations of limited transparency in the project’s awarding process and cost implications.