Newscenter Media News Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, was noticeably absent on Monday as President Bola Tinubu hosted state governors, ministers, and key government officials to an Iftar dinner at the State House, Abuja.
His absence has sparked speculation, especially in the wake of the recent leadership crisis that rocked the Lagos State House of Assembly.
The event, which brought together prominent political figures, saw the presence of Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his predecessor, now Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike. Their attendance was particularly notable given the ongoing power struggle in Rivers State, where a recent Supreme Court ruling reinstated 27 lawmakers loyal to Wike, complicating Fubara’s hold on the state assembly.
Fubara’s invitation to these legislators for a meeting following the judgment further highlighted the tensions in Rivers politics. Meanwhile, at the Iftar dinner, key figures including Vice President Kashim Shettima, Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila, and several cabinet members were present.
Among the governors in attendance were Alex Otti (Abia), Umo Eno (Akwa Ibom), Bala Mohammed (Bauchi), Hyacinth Alia (Benue), Babagana Zulum (Borno), Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta), Monday Okpebholo (Edo), Muhammad Yahaya (Gombe), Umar Namadi (Jigawa), Uba Sani (Kaduna), Abba Kabir Yusuf (Kano), Nasir Idris (Kebbi), AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq (Kwara), Abdullahi Sule (Nasarawa), Mohammed Bago (Niger), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Lucky Aiyedatiwa (Ondo), Duoye Diri (Bayelsa), and Francis Nwifuru (Ebonyi).
Read also: Bwala to El-Rufai: Aligning with ‘sore losers’ won’t oust an incumbent
Also present were heads of key agencies, including the Chairman of the National Hajj Commission, Professor Abdullahi Mukhtar Muhammad; Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Sylvester Nwakuche; Comptroller-General of the Federal Fire Service, Jaji Abdulganiyu; and Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Bashir Adeniyi. Others included the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, Farouk Ahmed, and the CEO of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, Mele Kyari.
Sanwo-Olu’s absence comes amid ongoing speculation about political tensions in Lagos, particularly following the leadership crisis in the state assembly. Whether his absence was a mere scheduling conflict or a reflection of deeper political undercurrents remains to be seen.
The post Sanwo-Olu absent as Tinubu hosts govs, ministers to Iftar dinner appeared first on Latest Nigeria News | Top Stories from Ripples Nigeria.