President Bola Tinubu has departed Lagos for Abuja, the nation’s capital, after a two-week stay.
The president was accompanied to the Murtala Mohammed International Airport by Babajide Sanwo-Olu, governor of Lagos state, on Tuesday afternoon.
Tinubu had been in Lagos since May 27, where he participated in the 50th anniversary celebration of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), and also joined Muslims in observing the Eid al-Adha festival.
During his stay in the commercial city, the rift between the president and the governor dominated headlines.
On May 31, Tinubu snubbed Sanwo-Olu during the inauguration of the completed phase 1, section 1 (30km by six lanes) of the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway.
The event was attended by personalities, including Ahmed Lawan, the former senate president; Babagana Zulum, governor of Borno; Douye Diri, governor of Bayelsa; and Bassey Otu, governor of Cross River.
Tinubu exchanged pleasantries by shaking hands with the dignitaries as he proceeded along the line of officials.
However, when Tinubu reached Sanwo-Olu, he ignored the Lagos governor and extended a handshake directly to greet Ahmed Ododo, the governor of Kogi, who was next in line.
On June 5, Sanwo-Olu was absent when Tinubu flagged off the reconstruction of the deep seaport access road in Epe, Ijebu-Ode area of the state.
Sanwo-Olu’s seat was clearly labelled, but he was noticeably absent, with his deputy, Femi Hamzat, seated behind it.
Tinubu reportedly mended fences with the governor on Sunday, during a meeting with the Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC), telling him that his “sins have been forgiven”.
The rift between both politicians was said to have stemmed from the impeachment of Mudashiru Obasa as speaker of the Lagos state house of assembly.
Obasa was removed from office by a majority of lawmakers in February over allegations of financial misconduct, but was later reinstated after 49 days following the alleged intervention of Tinubu
