Mr. Bola Babarinde, a former Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in South Africa, has described the recent reconciliation between President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu as a great relief and a beacon of hope for the ruling party.
In a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Lagos, Babarinde welcomed the resolution of the rift between the two leaders, following a closed-door meeting between President Tinubu and the Lagos State Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC) held on Saturday.
During the meeting, Tinubu publicly declared that he had forgiven Sanwo-Olu, officially putting to rest lingering tensions between the two political figures.
“Peace in Lagos means stability for the entire nation,” he said. “President Tinubu, as the Asiwaju of Yorubaland, has once again demonstrated wisdom, forgiveness, and political maturity.”
He commended Governor Sanwo-Olu’s loyalty, particularly during the 2023 general elections, noting that his support for President Tinubu was resolute, despite challenges in Lagos.
Describing Sanwo-Olu as a humble, principled, and progressive leader, Babarinde expressed pride in the governor’s achievements and defended him against past criticisms, suggesting that some accusations may have been politically motivated.
While not a formal member of Sanwo-Olu’s administration, Babarinde acknowledged supporting his governance from abroad and reiterated his continued commitment to Lagos’s development.
He concluded by praying for ongoing harmony between the executive and legislative arms in the state, and for Lagos to retain its position as Nigeria’s top economic hub and a source of pride for Africa.
