Lagos debunks claim of Sanwo-Olu resignation over health concerns

The Lagos State Government has dismissed as false a report claiming that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu had been asked to resign on health grounds.

In a statement issued late Monday night, the governor’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Gboyega Akosile, described the report by Sahara Reporters as “false in its entirety,” urging the public to disregard it.

The report had alleged that Mr Sanwo-Olu was under pressure to step down, with his deputy set to assume office.

However, the state government said there was no truth to the claim, insisting that the governor remains in good health and is fully engaged in his official duties.

“Governor Sanwo-Olu remains in good health, of sound mind, and is actively discharging his duties as Governor of Lagos State,” the statement said.

Mr Akosile also clarified that earlier interactions between the governor and his deputy, Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, had been misrepresented. He explained that the deputy governor had paid a routine courtesy visit to formally inform the governor of his intention to contest for the governorship.

According to the statement, the meeting was held in a cordial atmosphere and followed established protocol, dismissing any suggestion of internal crisis within the state government.

The aide further criticised Sahara Reporters for what he described as a pattern of publishing misinformation, noting that the clarification became necessary to prevent the public from being misled.

“We would ordinarily ignore such baseless reports, but the need to reassure Lagosians makes this response necessary,” he said.

The state government reiterated its call on residents and the general public to rely on verified sources of information and to treat the report as fake news.