President Bola Tinubu drew widespread attention on Saturday following a viral video that appeared to show him overlooking Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu during the commissioning of Phase 1 of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway.
The footage, shared on social media by the President’s Special Assistant, Dada Olusegun, captured Tinubu warmly greeting a number of governors, including Babagana Zulum of Borno, Duoye Diri of Bayelsa, and Bassey Otu of Cross River. However, as the President continued along the receiving line, he seemingly bypassed Governor Sanwo-Olu, who stood and extended his hand in greeting.
VIDEO: Tinubu snubs Sanwo-Olu at inauguration of Lagos-Calabar coastal highway phase 1
📹: @DOlusegun pic.twitter.com/5YDEu7vCh4
— TheCable (@thecableng) May 31, 2025
The moment, which has since circulated widely online, has prompted speculation about a possible rift between the two longtime allies. As of press time, neither the Presidency nor the Lagos State Government has issued a statement addressing the incident or clarifying whether it was intentional.
The apparent slight comes just two days after Sanwo-Olu marked his sixth year in office. The governor is widely regarded as one of Tinubu’s closest political associates, with the President often credited as his political mentor.
The commissioning, held at Kilometre 8 of the project near Jakande Estate in Lagos, marked the completion of the initial 30 kilometres of the ambitious 750-kilometre coastal highway, which aims to connect Lagos to Calabar through eight coastal states: Ogun, Ondo, Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, and Cross River.
Among other dignitaries present were Governors Monday Okpebholo of Edo and Usman Ododo of Kogi.
The viral video has stirred debate among Nigerians online, with opinions divided.
“This should be an honest mistake,” wrote one user, Oladele.
Another, Kamoru Babatunde, offered context: “They came to the venue together. You want them to over greet each other? Watch the clip again. MG didn’t stretch out his hand—this is not snubbing.”
Others saw the gesture differently. Peter commented, “I noticed that he wasn’t present among those that welcomed \[Tinubu] to Lagos earlier this week. I sensed something was off. Obasa or something else?”
Alex expressed frustration over the incident’s public nature, saying, “It’s grown men, people’s fathers and granddaughters, bowing their heads and smiling. I hope this nonsense stops with this generation.”
Another user, Alagba Singapore, pushed back on the snub narrative: “I am dead sure it’s something else. Sanwo-Olu received him at the airport a few days earlier and they shook hands.”
As speculation continues, observers await any official clarification from either camp to shed light on the nature of the encounter.
