President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has extended warm birthday wishes to Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on his 60th birthday, just days after a highly publicized reconciliation between the two political allies.
In a statement released on Wednesday via presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu praised Sanwo-Olu’s dedication to the development of Lagos and commended his continued alignment with the state’s long-term transformation plan, which Tinubu initiated during his tenure as governor from 1999 to 2007.
“Your execution of this vision is exemplified by landmark achievements, including completing the Blue and Red Rail lines and preparations for the Purple Line, which will serve the vital Lekki corridor,” Tinubu noted. “I urge you to sustain this trajectory by prioritising impactful projects for Lagosians, notably the long-awaited Fourth Mainland Bridge and the Freedom Way–VGC Road.”
The President also wished the governor “continued good health, longevity, and many more years of invaluable service.”
Sanwo-Olu, who rose through the political ranks under Tinubu’s mentorship, has held various roles in Lagos State government including Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget, Commerce and Industry, and Establishments, Training and Pensions. He also served as Managing Director of the Lagos State Property Development Corporation (LSDPC) before his emergence as governor in 2019.
Adding to the celebration, First Lady Oluremi Tinubu lauded Sanwo-Olu’s dedication in a personally signed goodwill message.
“Your dedication to service has set you apart as an exemplary leader,” she wrote, praying for “more wisdom, strength, and divine health to fulfill your God-ordained purpose.”
From Rift to Reconciliation
The birthday felicitations follow a widely reported reconciliation between Tinubu and Sanwo-Olu, ending months of tension that had sparked speculation about a political fallout. The rumored rift became more evident when President Tinubu appeared to snub Sanwo-Olu at the commissioning of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway Phase 1 in May and excluded him from other key presidential events.
Sources at the time suggested that Tinubu was dissatisfied with Sanwo-Olu over the APC’s loss of Lagos State to Peter Obi of the Labour Party during the 2023 presidential election — a bitter pill for Tinubu, despite Sanwo-Olu securing re-election weeks later.
However, the Governance Advisory Council (GAC), the top political advisory body in Lagos, intervened. Led by APC elder Tajudeen Olusi, the council facilitated a closed-door reconciliation meeting at Tinubu’s Ikoyi residence, after which both parties reportedly buried the hatchet.
Speaking to NTA after the peace meeting, Sanwo-Olu dismissed rumors of a feud:
“Did you see any discord? There is none. People sometimes cry more than the bereaved. He’s my father, my leader. We are grateful that he gave us the audience to come in and say hello to him.”
With the reconciliation now public and heartfelt birthday tributes pouring in, the president’s message signals a renewed endorsement of Sanwo-Olu’s leadership — and a reset in their long-standing political alliance.
