President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is reportedly at odds with Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, with multiple sources pointing to a combination of political tensions, perceived disloyalty, and recent controversies surrounding a socialite, Aisha Sulaiman-Achimugu.
According to those familiar with the matter, President Tinubu has not fully reconciled with Governor Sanwo-Olu following the latter’s association with Achimugu, who hosted a lavish birthday party abroad last year.
The event, which generated media attention and criticism, was said to have displeased the President, particularly after he was informed of allegations that Achimugu had become an influential figure in Lagos political circles.
“The President was not just upset about the party,” a political insider revealed. “He was reportedly alarmed by claims that this woman was exerting influence over the Governor and manipulating decisions in Lagos.”
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) recently declared Achimugu wanted for alleged criminal conspiracy and money laundering, a move that has further fueled speculation.
In a statement signed by its spokesman, Dele Oyewale, the EFCC confirmed that she is under investigation for financial crimes.
However, the commission clarified that its probe is not directly linked to Governor Sanwo-Olu or former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
Still, political sources suggest President Tinubu was “deeply disturbed” by persistent rumours that Sanwo-Olu may have supported Atiku’s presidential bid in 2023, using Achimugu as an intermediary.
Though the Atiku media team has denied these allegations, the rumours have gained traction within political circles in Lagos and Abuja.
“What grieved the President most,” said a Lagos political figure, “was how the Governor is said to be at the fingertips of the woman.
Asiwaju finds it unacceptable for a public office holder to be under the control of a woman in such sensitive matters.”
Adding to the friction is Tinubu’s loss to Labour Party candidate Peter Obi in Lagos during the 2023 presidential election, a result some believe was due in part to Sanwo-Olu’s lack of commitment to the campaign.
Although the Governor went on to win re-election with a wide margin weeks later, the contrast reportedly left a bitter taste for the President.
While Sanwo-Olu’s team maintains he provided strong financial support to Tinubu’s presidential campaign, the perception that he prioritized his own re-election campaign remains a sticking point.
“The President was disappointed,” one source said. “He believed Sanwo-Olu didn’t put in the same energy during the presidential election that he later showed during the governorship race.”
This tension may explain Tinubu’s decision to celebrate Eid-el-Fitr in Abuja this year, breaking from the tradition of marking such events in Lagos.
“Some members of the President’s advance team were preparing for a Lagos trip,” a presidential protocol source disclosed, “but plans changed abruptly. It became obvious the President wanted to avoid Sanwo-Olu.”
Further straining their relationship is the internal power struggle within the Lagos political establishment, particularly involving the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa.
Obasa’s confrontation with Sanwo-Olu over certain executive decisions reportedly drew Tinubu’s sympathy, leading to a confrontation between the President and the Governor.
One source close to the matter recalled: “There was a heated phone conversation where the President was said to have told Sanwo-Olu he might have to resign.”
In response, the Governor sought intervention from party elders, including Chief Bisi Akande and Aremo Segun Osoba, to mediate the situation.
Though no public fallout has occurred, observers say these private conflicts could shape Sanwo-Olu’s political future.
Rumours of his covert support for Atiku, his alleged ties to Achimugu, and lingering doubts about his loyalty have reportedly left President Tinubu disillusioned.
“The President believes the betrayal happened,” a Lagos political analyst stated. “In a party where loyalty to Tinubu is paramount, any perceived deviation is a serious offence.”
While Sanwo-Olu has remained silent on these developments, analysts believe that his next political steps will reveal whether he retains his standing within the All Progressives Congress (APC) or faces gradual political isolation.
There is growing concern that President Tinubu’s displeasure runs deep and that the EFCC’s recent move against Achimugu may be only the beginning of broader political consequences.