President Bola Tinubu appeared to snub Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Saturday during the inauguration of the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway.
The event, which marked the commissioning of phase one, section one (30km of six-lane highway) in Lagos, was attended by prominent figures including former Senate President Ahmed Lawan; Babagana Zulum, governor of Borno; Douye Diri, governor of Bayelsa; and Bassey Otu, governor of Cross River.
Tinubu was seen greeting dignitaries and shaking hands with officials as he moved down the reception line.
However, when Tinubu reached Sanwo-Olu, he ignored the Lagos governor and extended a handshake directly to greet Ahmed Ododo, the governor of Kogi, who was next in line.
Construction of the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway began in March 2024. The first phase, covering 47.47 kilometres of dual carriageway, was awarded to Hitech Construction Company Ltd.
Tinubu officially flagged off the project in May 2024.
The project has sparked controversy, including public criticism over the demolition of buildings along the beach corridor and questions about transparency in the contract award and cost.
Speculation about a possible rift between Tinubu and Sanwo-Olu intensified following the impeachment of Mudashiru Obasa as Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly.
Obasa was removed in February by a majority of lawmakers over allegations of financial impropriety but was reinstated 49 days later after Tinubu allegedly intervened.
The recent public snub is being interpreted by observers as further evidence of tension between the president and the Lagos governor.
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