By: Manoah Kikekon
LAGOS, NIGERIA — The political landscape of Nigeria’s economic heartbeat is bracing for a seismic shift as reports emerge that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has been asked to resign from office on health grounds. This strategic move is expected to pave the way for his deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, to assume the governorship and complete the current administration's tenure.
According to SaharaReporters exclusive insights from sources within the presidency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his inner circle have expressed growing dissatisfaction with the current leadership in Lagos. This discontent has reportedly culminated in the initiation of a high-level transition plan to stabilize the state’s political hierarchy.
The proposed arrangement would not only see Hamzat finish the remaining years of the current term but would also strategically position him as the frontrunner for a fresh four-year mandate in the 2027 general elections.
“The Presidency, President Bola Tinubu and key figures in his inner circle are reportedly dissatisfied with the current leadership in Lagos and have moved to initiate a transition plan,” a top source in the Presidency revealed.
“The emerging arrangement would see Sanwo-Olu resign, paving the way for his deputy to assume office and complete the remainder of the tenure,” the source added, highlighting the depth of the ongoing recalibration.
While an official statement from the Lagos State Government remains pending, the development underscores an intensifying shift within Lagos politics—a territory long considered President Tinubu’s most vital and strategic stronghold.
If implemented, this move would represent one of the most consequential leadership changes in the state's modern history. The implications are far-reaching, potentially altering party dynamics, governance continuity, and the broader electoral outlook for the All Progressives Congress (APC) heading into 2027.
Political tensions have notably deepened in recent months. Governor Sanwo-Olu has faced accusations within party circles of insubordination, including alleged attempts to build independent political structures in Lagos—a move perceived as a direct challenge to the President’s established influence.
Furthermore, the Governor has been linked to friction involving the legislative arm, specifically regarding efforts to unseat the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, alongside contentious disputes over the control of strategic state land assets.
In March 2025, it was reported that President Tinubu had to personally intervene to facilitate the reinstatement of Obasa as Speaker following a sudden impeachment. The President reportedly identified what he termed the "indelible fingerprints" of the state executive in the leadership crisis.
During a high-stakes meeting with state lawmakers in Abuja, Tinubu expressed concern over the Governor's perceived overreach. Sources present noted that the President found it "unsettling" that the executive branch would demonstrate such a vested interest in determining the internal leadership of the House.
“At the meeting, President Tinubu explained that the reason why Obasa escaped the impeachment was because he saw the influence of the Lagos executive... he found it unsettling,” a source familiar with the Abuja deliberations stated.
The legislative crisis, which originally erupted in January 2025 over allegations of financial mismanagement against Obasa, was eventually quelled by behind-the-scenes pressure from APC national leaders. This intervention led to the stepping down of **Mojisola Meranda**, who had briefly replaced Obasa, in a deal aimed at preserving party unity.
Compounding these political woes, a major scandal arose when the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) declared Aisha Sulaiman Achimugu, a known associate of the Governor, wanted for alleged money laundering and criminal conspiracy.
Achimugu was accused of funneling funds to opposition leaders during the 2023 elections. This development reportedly left President Tinubu feeling "furious and betrayed," as intelligence suggested that resources linked to his own political protégé were being used to bolster rivals.
A government official noted that while the President has navigated deceptive tactics throughout his career, he was "uncharacteristically hurt" by this specific intelligence. Security sources allegedly traced significant sums to opposition figures, raising fundamental questions about the Governor’s true political allegiances.
Some analysts suggest that the EFCC’s aggressive interest in Achimugu was a calculated signal that the presidency was preparing to sever ties with Sanwo-Olu. Meanwhile, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has vehemently denied receiving such funds, labeling the claims a "blatant lie."
The rift widened further in June 2025 following reports that President Tinubu was displeased over the alleged illegal allocation of 96 hectares of land in Banana Island to various developers. Sources claimed some of the disputed land was linked to the President’s interests and had been sold without authorization.
“Tinubu got upset with Sanwo-Olu over illegal land allocation at Banana Island... Sanwo-Olu, they reported, also sold Tinubu’s land,” a source claimed, highlighting the breakdown of trust regarding state assets and patronage.
Earlier in May 2025, federal investigators uncovered what is being described as one of the largest land racketeering and money laundering schemes in the state's history. The **EFCC** formally requested detailed records from the Federal Ministry of Housing regarding allocations to 14 specific companies across prime areas like Lekki and Osborne Foreshore.
The anti-graft agency’s probe into "conspiracy, abuse of office, and money laundering" involved a request for Certified True Copies (CTC) of development permits and revenue-sharing agreements. This investigation appears to have provided the final impetus for federal intervention.
Ultimately, the mounting pressure led President Tinubu to order the immediate revocation of licenses for unauthorized developments on federal infrastructure corridors in Lagos. This decisive action, announced during the commissioning of the Lekki Deep Sea Port Access Road, appears to be the final precursor to a total leadership transition in Lagos.