Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the governor of Lagos State, has firmly denied online rumors that he was “forced to quit on health grounds,” calling them “pure fabrication” and “falsehoods” from Sahara Reporters, stressing that the publication has a track record for misinformation.
Gboyega Akosile, Governor Sanwo-Olu’s Special Advisor on Media and Publicity, on his official X (formerly Twitter) page and obtained by ENigeria Newspaper, voiced grave concerns about the ongoing pattern of misinformation attributed to the online magazine in a harsh reaction to the widely shared narrative.
He emphasized that Governor Sanwo-Olu is mentally sound, in good health, and actively carrying out his duties as Lagos State’s governor.
“While Sahara Reporters has a track record of publishing disinformation, we are issuing this clarification to prevent the public from being misled by deliberate falsehoods. We would ordinarily ignore such baseless reports, but the need to reassure Lagosians makes this response necessary”, the statement read partly.
“We have noted with concern a false report by Sahara Reporters alleging that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has been “ordered to resign on health grounds” with the Deputy Governor set to take over.
This report is false in its entirety. Nobody has asked the Lagos Governor to resign-this is another fake news, which has become a pattern of Sahara Reporters. Governor Sanwo-Olu remains in good health, of sound mind, and is actively discharging his duties as Governor of Lagos State,” the statement added.
Sahara Reporters on Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu
The publication, published yesterday, reported that the governor had been asked to resign from the position over “health issues”. The report came just hours after the incumbent governor ‘endorsed’ deputy governor Obafemi Hamzat as the party’s flagbearer in the 2027 general elections.
Sanwo-Olu’s endorsement came after Hamzat held a number of talks with the President’s Chief of Staff, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila; former Finance Minister, Olawale Edun; and Lagos East Senator, Tokunbo Abiru.
Alhaji Tajudeen Olusi, the chairman of the Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC), Alhaji Busura Alebiosu, and the state’s traditional rulers were among the leaders Hamzat spoke with prior to his separate meeting with the three two days ago.
However, the meeting with Sanwo-Olu appeared to be a sort of grand finale, which President Bola Tinubu is anticipated to cap off shortly before the formal affirmation at the next APC primary votes.
