Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has pushed back against swirling resignation rumors after reports claimed he had been ordered to step down on health grounds, dismissing the story as outright false and politically misleading.
The controversy erupted after a report by Sahara Reporters alleged the governor had been directed to resign and hand over power to Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat.
The claim quickly triggered speculation online, especially given the sensitivity that often surrounds political succession stories in Nigeria. But the Lagos governor’s camp has now moved to shut down the narrative.
In a statement issued Monday through his spokesman, Gboyega Akosile, the report was described as fabricated from start to finish.
“We have noted with concern a false report… alleging Governor Babajide Sanwo Olu has been ordered to resign on health grounds,” the statement said, adding bluntly, “This report is false in its entirety.”
The rebuttal did more than deny the report. It directly challenged the credibility of the story, accusing Sahara Reporters of spreading disinformation and insisting the governor remains healthy and fully engaged in his responsibilities.
According to the statement, Sanwo-Olu is in good health, of sound mind, and actively carrying out his duties as governor, contrary to the speculation making the rounds.
What added another layer to the conversation was the clarification surrounding Deputy Governor Hamzat’s visit to the governor earlier in the day, which some had linked to the resignation rumors.
The governor’s camp said the meeting was routine and cordial, explaining that Hamzat had visited to formally notify Sanwo Olu of his intention to contest for governor, dismissing suggestions it had anything to do with a power transfer.
That detail has generated fresh political intrigue of its own, as it hints at future succession dynamics within Lagos politics, even as the immediate focus remains on the resignation claim.
Still, the stronger message from the government was clear: there is no resignation plan, no health crisis forcing a handover, and no truth to claims the governor has been pressured to leave office.
The response also reflects how quickly political misinformation can gain traction online, especially when tied to leadership health, a subject that has historically fueled major speculation in Nigerian politics.
That may explain why the governor’s media team chose not to ignore the report despite describing it as baseless.
By issuing a direct rebuttal, the administration appears intent on preventing rumors from hardening into public perception.
The clash also adds to ongoing tensions between public officials and digital media platforms over reportage, credibility, and the spread of politically charged narratives.
For many observers, the bigger story now is not just the denial itself but how swiftly the resignation rumor captured attention before any official response emerged.
For now, however, Sanwo Olu’s camp insists there is no crisis behind the scenes.
And with the governor publicly reaffirmed as active and in charge, the message from the Lagos Government is simple: the resignation story is fake, and the governor is not going anywhere.
