After months of hushed animosity and strained silence between President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, peace has finally returned to the political seat of the Southwest. The long-running rift, cloaked in secrecy and denials, came to a dramatic end following the behind-the-scenes interventions of a select group of influential allies, loyalists, and respected elders.
Although the official line remains that “there was no discord,” insiders confirm that a storm had indeed been brewing. The frost became public only recently when Tinubu visibly snubbed Sanwo-Olu at a public function in Lagos, confirming speculations of a deepening rift.
But what finally broke the ice? A quiet yet powerful campaign by eight trusted men—each with long-standing, unshakable relationships with the president—successfully brokered peace.
The Men Behind the Truce
1. Dipo Eludoyin
Chairman of Paragon Holdings and a childhood friend of the president, Eludoyin’s intervention carried weight rooted in decades of trust. Known for speaking candid truths to Tinubu without fear or flattery, Eludoyin played a vital role in softening the president’s stance.
2. Gilbert Chagoury
The Lebanese-Nigerian billionaire and longtime confidant of Tinubu brought not just emotional influence but strategic acumen. His business ties—most notably through Hitech Construction—gave his appeal for peace a broader economic resonance, particularly regarding infrastructural development in Lagos.
3. Professor Wole Soyinka
The Nobel Laureate brought moral gravity to the peace mission. Though not a politician, Soyinka’s voice is never easily dismissed. He met with the president privately to advocate for reconciliation, reportedly appealing to Tinubu’s statesman instincts.
4. Dele Alake
Minister of Solid Minerals and a core loyalist, Alake’s consistent push for peace was informed by both political foresight and personal loyalty. He recognized the broader implications for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and acted with urgency and persistence to ensure calm returned.
5. Olusegun Osoba
The elder statesman and former Ogun State governor leveraged his decades-old bond with Tinubu to speak candidly and persuasively. Osoba’s interventions reflected deep concern for Southwest stability and the optics of internal discord.
6. Bisi Akande
A foundational figure in the APC and a political ‘uncle’ to many in the Southwest, Akande’s influence cannot be overstated. With a calming presence and strategic insight, he reminded the president of the broader costs of unresolved grievances in his political base.
7. James Ibori
Though largely silent in public, the former Delta State governor worked the back channels. A longtime political ally from the 1999 class of governors, Ibori reportedly engaged Tinubu in private conversations that were both heartfelt and strategic.
8. Babatunde Fashola
The former Lagos governor and political “first son” of Tinubu offered the most nuanced intervention. With a personal understanding of the weight of Lagos’ governorship and its expectations, Fashola’s role was subtle, intellectual, and ultimately decisive.
The Final Push: GAC’s Strategic Visit
While these heavyweights worked in private, the formal peace process culminated with a visit by the Lagos Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC) to Tinubu’s Lagos residence last Thursday. The delegation, led by Alhaji Tajudeen Olusi and APC State Chairman, Hon. Cornelius Ojelabi, pleaded directly with the president, asking him to forgive all perceived wrongs.
In response, Tinubu reportedly declared: “It’s all over now. All is forgiven,” adding that he would not tamper with the report on the party’s controversial local government primaries—a significant signal of reconciliation.
Governor Sanwo-Olu and other council members prostrated before the president in traditional Yoruba fashion to express remorse and gratitude. Sanwo-Olu, speaking after the meeting, dismissed any notion of discord, describing Tinubu as his “father and leader” and pointing fingers at “those who are more Catholic than the Pope” for fanning unfounded rumours.
Symbolic Gestures and Renewed Optimism
Sanwo-Olu’s earlier unveiling of 12 new Blue Line trains—part of a federally-supported project—became a symbolic moment of restored cooperation. He credited the president’s backing for Lagos’ transportation reforms and praised recent signs of economic improvement under Tinubu’s administration.
Also addressing the proposed June 12 protests, Sanwo-Olu questioned their basis, urging critics to give the administration more time, citing reductions in fuel and food prices as early signs of recovery.
A Collective Win for Lagos, APC
Beyond the eight elder statesmen, members of the GAC were lauded for their persistence in the face of presidential resistance. They endured subtle humiliations and continued pressing for peace—a testament to their dedication to party unity and Lagos’ political stability.
As the APC gears up for local government elections, the truce ensures a more united front. For now, the political skies over Lagos have cleared, thanks to the silent but potent diplomacy of these wise men.
In a season where egos could have ruptured alliances, it was seasoned loyalty, political maturity, and personal trust that prevailed.