₦airaland Forum

By Temidayo Akinsuyi

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu still has about nine months to vacate office as Lagos State governor but, as social media commentator Balogun Olamilekan puts it, it increasingly appears that the governor has mentally signed out or technically handed over the reins of government. He started well, but unfortunately, he appears to be ending badly. And that will not be good for his name or legacy.

Every day, in a state that prides itself as the “Centre of Excellence”, we are inundated with reports of terrible roads, heaps of refuse littering the streets and, most disturbing of all, residents who are simply trying to survive being attacked in broad daylight by street urchins demanding money. They knock on your car window and ask you to wind down and give them money. If you refuse, they smash your windscreen or side mirrors and, in some cases, inflict injuries on you. That is not excellence. That is, at best, anarchy.

I first met Sanwo-Olu on September 27, 2018. Five of us political editors were invited to a media briefing by Tayo Ayinde, the current chief of staff to the governor, who was then the Director-General of the Babajide Olushola Sanwo-Olu Campaign Organisation (BOSCO). Gboyega Akosile, the current special adviser on media and publicity to the governor, facilitated the meeting.


During the interview with Ayinde, Sanwo-Olu walked in and had a brief conversation with us. He spoke passionately about the deplorable state of Lagos under Akinwunmi Ambode, particularly the heaps of refuse that had become a major issue across the state, and promised to tackle the problem head-on. The following day, I wrote a news report titled, “Ambode Has Made Himself Emperor in Lagos – Sanwo-Olu”. The report is still available online.

The events leading to the governorship primary were anything but pleasant. The battle between Sanwo-Olu and Ambode was acrimonious, and the eventual emergence of Sanwo-Olu was followed by Ambode’s concession. Yet, shortly after assuming office, Sanwo-Olu surprised many people who had expected him to dismantle the projects of his predecessor. Instead, he continued several of them and ensured their completion.

That, for me, was one of the things that distinguished him. He won my heart, and that of many Lagosians, when he maintained a cordial relationship with Ambode and, more importantly, successfully reconciled his predecessor with President Bola Tinubu. It was an impressive demonstration of political maturity at a time when the easier option would have been to permanently shut the door on Ambode.

Another area where Sanwo-Olu earned my admiration was in the quality of some of the people he appointed into his government. Many were professionals and experts in their respective fields. His administration, particularly in its early years, gave the impression of a government that understood the importance of putting competent people in the right positions.

One of those appointees is Akosile, whom I had earlier mentioned. When Akosile took over as the governor’s spokesman from Habib Aruna, who had served as Ambode’s Chief Press Secretary, many expected him to dispense with the media assistants who had worked in the office under his predecessor. He did not. Instead, he made efforts to accommodate them. And where he could not retain some of them, he helped to find opportunities for them elsewhere. That was a commendable gesture and one that demonstrated that political transition did not necessarily have to translate into a personal vendetta.

I have many friends within the Sanwo-Olu administration. But friendship cannot become a reason to abandon professional responsibility or pretend that everything is fine when it is not.

And this is where my assessment of the governor has changed. Lagos is in a mess under Sanwo-Olu, and, more worrying still, it appears to be getting worse. In some respects, the situation today evokes memories of the problems that characterised the twilight of Ambode’s administration.


Take the refuse crisis, for instance. Heaps of refuse are not merely an aesthetic nuisance. They constitute a serious public-health risk. Yet the state government appears increasingly helpless in dealing with the problem.

On June 18, 2026, the state government issued a statement titled, “Sanwo-Olu Directs Waste Evacuation Across Lagos”. In the statement, the government acknowledged residents’ concerns over the accumulation of refuse in parts of the state and assured Lagosians that the situation was receiving the “highest level of attention” from the governor and the entire machinery of government. But from that statement until now, the situation appears to have deteriorated further. Streets and roads in several areas have increasingly become illegal dumpsites.

So, one is forced to ask: Is Sanwo-Olu still in charge? This is not a question I expected to be asking at this stage of his administration.

In January 2024, when an online news platform published an exclusive report titled, “Sanwo-Olu Abandons Work, Secretly Attends Multi-Billion Naira Party in Grenada”, I was one of those who defended the governor. My argument then was simple: being governor should not deprive anyone of the opportunity to take some time off, unwind and enjoy life. Governors are human beings too. I do not think I can make the same argument today. Not because a governor is forbidden from taking a break, but because it is increasingly difficult to separate the perception that Sanwo-Olu is winding down from the visible deterioration in the quality of governance across the state.

Even more disturbing is the growing menace of street urchins and area boys. Residents are now being confronted in broad daylight by people demanding money. Motorists are stopped and harassed. Those who refuse to comply risk having their windscreens or side mirrors smashed. Some are physically attacked. How did Lagos get to this point? The governor needs to urgently confront this menace. He should perhaps go to his predecessor, Babatunde Fashola, for tutorials on how to deal with street urchins, touts and other forms of urban disorder. Fashola governed Lagos from 2007 to 2015 and confronted several of these challenges with a level of firmness that appears to be missing today.

I must, however, acknowledge that the Sanwo-Olu administration has made efforts to address the menace of Omotaku, Omo Onile and people who deliberately dump refuse on roads and in drainage channels. But the scale of the problem demands far more than occasional enforcement exercises. It requires sustained political will.

The same applies to security. The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Tijani Fatai, should also be asked to do his job. The governor and the Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, must demand more from the police leadership in Lagos.

The commissioner was recently sighted at the launch of the pro-Tinubu City Boy Movement in Lagos. There is nothing wrong with the police maintaining relationships with political leaders or attending public events. But at a time when ordinary Lagosians are being harassed by street gangs in broad daylight, the police leadership should be seen spending more energy assuring residents that their lives and property are protected. If the commissioner knows he cannot protect Lagosians, then he should quit policing and become an aide to politicians.

Lagos is constantly touted as a megacity. But parts of it are increasingly looking like a mega slum. This is not the Lagos Sanwo-Olu promised when he begged for the job in 2019. It is also not the Lagos that made many of us support him in the first place.

The governor still has time to change the narrative. He has about nine months left in office, and nine months is a long time in politics. He can still tackle the refuse crisis, fix more roads, restore order to the streets and make residents feel safe again.

What he must not do is allow the final months of his administration to create the impression that he is tired, distracted or simply waiting for his successor to take over. He begged and campaigned for this job. Lagosians gave him the opportunity to serve for eight years. He should therefore do the job — and do it well — until the very last day.

President Bola Tinubu lost Lagos State during the 2023 presidential election. I hope Sanwo-Olu’s current performance does not contribute to a repeat of that outcome in 2027. More importantly, I hope the governor himself understands that his legacy is not yet written.

Sanwo-Olu started well. He earned goodwill. He demonstrated political maturity in dealing with Ambode. He appointed competent people and, in many instances, showed that governance could be about more than settling political scores.

But a good beginning is not enough. Sanwo-Olu should endeavour to finish strong. He is on the final lap of his marathon and cannot afford a bad ending. He should rescue his legacy now. There is too much at stake to do otherwise.

Akinsuyi, former group politics editor of the Daily Independent, is a member of the Society of Editors, United Kingdom. He can be reached via shabydayo@gmail.com.

https://www.thecable.ng/sanwo-olu-from-a-promising-start-to-a-troubling-finish/

This is a very good and honest assessment of Sanwo-Olu. Things have gone so bad, bad roads, abandoned projects, refuses everywhere, worst of them all, lawlessness and indiscipline. Hamzat will be pro max. When Ambode warned of Sanwo-Olu, they all laughed at him. Ponti Pilatu has shown us Lagos is too big for him.

I am gad that someone else is coming out to say it.

I have said several times and in different topic that I have created that Fashola was the last Governor of the state.

The rest are just “Wall Clocks” in the government house.

They have so much brainwashed Lagosians to believe all is going well for the state when in reality, the state is retrogressing towards doom.

Despite the massive debt, IGR and FG allocation, the state still remains a shadow of herself.

When try to enlighten them, they think you from out of state and scream to the top of their voice that “Eko o ni baje”. Ask them “Ki ni o ti baje?” And they will be silent and turn it into a fight.

There was nothing promising about his start.

He was just opportune to benefit from the fallout of Ambode with their tin god.

Man is a huge and monumental failure.

Hamzat if allowed will be twice as monumental a failure as Sanwo.

We may not know. Maybe those who put him there ordered him not to touch any money again till he leaves

This is one of the numerous demerits of Baba Sopetism. There is no incentive for the governors to perform because they are guaranteed of victory. Emancipate yourselves from godfatherism before it's too late.

No Lagos governor would have the guts to exercise his full rights and powers as stipulated by the office as long as the godfather is breathing down his neck. The only exception was Fashola, and we are all witnesses to the remarkable benchmark he set while in office, but he nearly paid for it when he was almost denied a return ticket. The fear of losing him to the opposition made his godfather think twice. Despite Lagos enjoying a special status that ought to leverage the governors creativity, they seem to be harmstrung by the apron strings of the godfather, and now, it seems Sanwo Olu is bored and can't just wait for May 29, refuse or no refuse. So much for the builder of Lagos.

All they care about is the Atlantic city. Sanwo no try at all

The godfather has his problem to contend with in Abuja. Most governors go to sleep after getting second term

Svoboda:
No Lagos governor would have the guts to exercise his full rights and powers as stipulated by the office as long as the godfather is breathing down his neck. The only exception was Fashola, and we are all witnesses to the remarkable benchmark he set while in office, but he nearly paid for it when he was almost denied a return ticket. The fear of losing him to the opposition made his godfather think twice. Despite Lagos enjoying a special status that ought to leverage the governors creativity, they seem to be harmstrung by the apron strings of the godfather, and now, it seems Sanwo Olu is bored and can't just wait for May 29, refuse or no refuse. So much for the builder of Lagos.

Is it his fault that he has mentally checked out? Even after all he did, they still found a way to blame him for Tinubu's loss in Lagos, they almost called him odale (betrayer). They don't trust themselves. Politics without principles can never ever last, it's just turn by turn transaction. I will show you politics gang


This is what happens when you are never allowed to be a man of your own. You get worned out. What's the worst that could happen?

Just like Sanwo-Olu, the Rivers Governor has also checked out. Sorry

HacheNoire:
I am gad that someone else is coming out to say it.

I have said several times and in different topic that I have created that Fashola was the last Governor of the state.

The rest are just “Wall Clocks” in the government house.

They have so much brainwashed Lagosians to believe all is going well for the state when in reality, the state is retrogressing towards doom.

Despite the massive debt, IGR and FG allocation, the state still remains a shadow of herself.

When try to enlighten them, they think you from out of state and scream to the top of their voice that “Eko o ni baje”. Ask them “Ki ni o ti baje?” And they will be silent and turn it into a fight.

E be like dem don hack your account. Lmaooo.

Fashola was one governor who worked. He is sorely missed.

Sheuns:
There was nothing promising about his start.

He was just opportune to benefit from the fallout of Ambode with their tin god.

Man is a huge and monumental failure.

Hamzat if allowed will be twice as monumental a failure as Sanwo.

I have listened to Hamzat's recent interviews, and sadly, he is not it at all.

na fashola boy. he can give him the trick

yewit37486:
I have listened to Hamzat's recent interviews, and sadly, he is not it at all.

My dog is having a field day slaughtering the rats that make the mistake of venturing into our compound. Almost every morning we are treated to the sight of the corpse of a huge dead rat at our doorstep. He lays them there like some sort of trophy and if we are not watchful, we step on it before realising.

All these started when rubbish heaps started piling up in the streets of my community. Just imagine, PSP has only come three times this year, so why won't rats invade the whole neighbourhood?

There's no two ways about it. Sanwoolu has signed out mentally from being the state Governor. Baba Don tire. His tiring is so glaring in every aspect of the state.

HacheNoire:
I am gad that someone else is coming out to say it.

I have said several times and in different topic that I have created that Fashola was the last Governor of the state.

The rest are just “Wall Clocks” in the government house.

They have so much brainwashed Lagosians to believe all is going well for the state when in reality, the state is retrogressing towards doom.

Despite the massive debt, IGR and FG allocation, the state still remains a shadow of herself.

When try to enlighten them, they think you from out of state and scream to the top of their voice that “Eko o ni baje”. Ask them “Ki ni o ti baje?” And they will be silent and turn it into a fight.

Compare Fashola's reign with that of Tinubu please. In terms of practicalities and real development, tangible things that can be seen and felt and confirmed

Sheuns:
There was nothing promising about his start.

He was just opportune to benefit from the fallout of Ambode with their tin god.

Man is a huge and monumental failure.

Hamzat if allowed will be twice as monumental a failure as Sanwo.

It is easy to criticize those in government. Why not throw your hat in the ring and let's see how far you can bring the required change. Imagine him calling Sanwo-Olu a failure. Did you even acknowledge some of his numerous achievements before coming out to say he's a failure. As long as he's in APC and Tinubu brought him, anything he achieves is nothing to you.

HacheNoire:
I am gad that someone else is coming out to say it.

I have said several times and in different topic that I have created that Fashola was the last Governor of the state.

The rest are just “Wall Clocks” in the government house.

They have so much brainwashed Lagosians to believe all is going well for the state when in reality, the state is retrogressing towards doom.

Despite the massive debt, IGR and FG allocation, the state still remains a shadow of herself.

When try to enlighten them, they think you from out of state and scream to the top of their voice that “Eko o ni baje”. Ask them “Ki ni o ti baje?” And they will be silent and turn it into a fight.

When his tenure was ending, I told all who cared to listen that it will be very difficult to find another person who would adequately fill his shoes. What is happening in Lagos state is a disgrace

The truth is that, they can't do anything to the area boys for now, because, they use them to intimidate people and rig the election, that is the bitter truth.

The APC people and their supporters don't have conscience, they can do anything to grab and run with it

Promising to who? Troubling to who?

HacheNoire:
I am gad that someone else is coming out to say it.

I have said several times and in different topic that I have created that Fashola was the last Governor of the state.

The rest are just “Wall Clocks” in the government house.

They have so much brainwashed Lagosians to believe all is going well for the state when in reality, the state is retrogressing towards doom.

Despite the massive debt, IGR and FG allocation, the state still remains a shadow of herself.

When try to enlighten them, they think you from out of state and scream to the top of their voice that “Eko o ni baje”. Ask them “Ki ni o ti baje?” And they will be silent and turn it into a fight.

You see your life?

Are you not among the loudest proponents of foisting incompetent characters on Lagos all in the bid of ensuring that your perceived enemies are stopped from leading the state to emancipation?

Tribalism starts small till it grows to a stage 4 cancer...

I doubt Lagos can have a gov like Fasola ever again. Man took Lagos to enviable heights the likes of Sanwo and Ambode laboured to maintain

As for the street urchins, only someone who hates Sanwo will push him to lift a finger against them
Those are mandate standers and they are being primed for a special assignment next year so they need to be at their horrible best towards that time
If you know, you know

A classic case of lukewarm praise for a solid leader.

Ishilove:
When his tenure was ending, I told all who cared to listen that it will be very difficult to find another person who would adequately fill his shoes. What is happening in Lagos state is a disgrace

So disappointing that the lack of self-esteem made Ambode start fighting with a man who was no longer in office.

iwaeda:
This is a very good and honest assessment of Sanwo-Olu. Things have gone so bad, bad roads, abandoned projects, refuses everywhere, worst of them all, lawlessness and indiscipline. Hamzat will be pro max. When Ambode warned of Sanwo-Olu, they all laughed at him. Ponti Pilatu has shown us Lagos is too big for him.

The same Lagos that south east governors went to go and understudy his models of government?? The same Lagos that south easterners escape from their barren region to seek greener pasture?

Kukutente23:
I doubt Lagos can have a gov like Fasola ever again. Man took Lagos to enviable heights the likes of Sanwo and Ambode laboured to maintain

A one eyed leader is really a star among blind people like Tinubu, Ambode and Sanwo Olu.

With the amount of money he had for eight years, what did Fashola achieve in basic services and common utilities provided by adequate number of well paid civil servants?

Wehrey leleyi oooo. Na who u dey ask?

Image123:
Promising to who? Troubling to who?

This is the kind of ejekpako governor you want to compare with my working governor.

Even tifnubu is not qualified to be a local government chairman in my state now.

[/b]You literarily put my conclusion about this Lagos State Governor on record. It is quite unfortunate for Lagosians and Lagos as every part of the city is drifting apart without any form of reaction from the government.[b]

mohbadliveson:
By Temidayo Akinsuyi



https://www.thecable.ng/sanwo-olu-from-a-promising-start-to-a-troubling-finish/

Which state are you from? Nwifuru or Soludo?

Nword22:
This is the kind of ejekpako governor you want to compare with my working governor.

Even tifnubu is not qualified to be a local government chairman in my state now.