The Lagos State Government, in a statement last night, denied speculations that there is rift between Governor Babatunde Fashola and his predecessor, Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

In a statement issued by the state's Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Opeyemi Bamidele, the state government has dismissed media reports, innuendos and speculations that a rift exists between Fashola and his illustrious predecessor, Asiwaju Tinubu.

The commissioner insisted that the relationship between both men is on sound footing.
According to Bamidele, "Tinubu has never mounted any pressure on the State Governor and Government and any such report is mischievous, wicked and malicious.

"It is also not true that Governor Fashola had twice nearly resigned following illicit demands and indecent pressure and harassment on him. This is totally baseless, unfounded and a figment of warped imagination.
“Governor Babatunde Fashola, would like to dissociate himself from these ugly speculations and this diabolic scheme of dreaming up conflicts where there are none.

“He claims no exclusive credit for any achievement. Whatever credits he claims are to the extent that he was lucky among other talents to have been chosen to continue whatever schemes and programmes his illustrious predecessor started ñ and that is about everything, including the BRT and Waste-to-Wealth programme, which meticulous planning and clinical execution could not have been a product of less than six years.

Continuing, the state government said it was not aware of any move to impeach Governor Fashola by the members of the State Assembly, adding that ìthose who are bent on creating a conflict where none existed have their own agenda.
“But Governor Fashola will not be party to such plots as he told the media on Tuesday, December 8, 2009, there is nothing to these ugly rumours.

“For emphasis there is no, and there will never be any, conflict between the governor and his predecessor”.
While the Governor gives Asiwaju Tinubu his due regards, the former governor has treated his successor and protÈgÈe with utmost courtesy, befitting his exalted office."
Bamidele asked the public to disregard these wicked and ugly rumours, calling them ìdistractions that we as a people cannot afford, in our march to build a new Lagos."