Claim
A post published by Dockays World and circulated on social media claims that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu reportedly ordered the Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, to resign from office due to health concerns.
The claim was also amplified by Sahara Reporters and had generated 61 comments on their website, over 6000 likes, over 2000 comments and 994 shares on their Facebook page at the time this fact-check was conducted.
Background
Babajide Sanwo-Olu is the Governor of Lagos State, Nigeria’s commercial capital. He first assumed office in May 2019 and was re-elected in 2023 for a second term.
Before becoming governor, Sanwo-Olu served in several public roles, including Managing Director of the Lagos State Property Development Corporation (LSPDC) and Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget under the Lagos State Government.
His administration has focused on infrastructure development, transportation reforms, and urban development initiatives within the state.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who previously served as Governor of Lagos State from 1999 to 2007 and assumed office as Nigeria’s President in May 2023 after winning the presidential election.
Verification
Findings shows that there are no previous reports of Governor Sanwo-Olu’s extreme ill health.
Also, the Governor has been seen carrying out official duties such as:
Swearing in seven newly appointed Permanent Secretaries and inaugurated the Lagos State Health Service Commission on April 24, urging them to strengthen public service delivery and healthcare.
Below are images indicating this on the Governor’s verified Facebook account.
He joined the meeting of the Governance Advisory Council, GAC, held at Lagos House, Marina, on April 24.
Also, find below the image from that event.
He was formally inducted as an Associate of the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers at Lagos House, Marina on the April 28. Governor Sanwo-Olu shared images from that event on his page, as seen below.
Furthermore, he witnessed the signing of three power purchase agreements on the 26th of April designed to build on existing capacity and address what has not been working.
These and more are the activities the governor was involved in the past week.
A search of credible Nigerian news outlets and official government communications shows no verified report confirming that President Tinubu ordered Governor Sanwo-Olu to resign.
Instead, the Lagos State Government publicly dismissed the claim.
The rumour was debunked through the governor’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Gboyega Akosile, who described the report as false and misleading.
Further checks show that no reputable traditional media organisations in Nigeria reported the alleged directive. Major national outlets did not confirm the story,.
In addition, the official social media accounts and communication channels of the Lagos State Government did not announce any resignation or directive relating to Governor Sanwo-Olu’s position.
The absence of confirmation from credible sources and the official denial from the governor’s media office strongly indicate that the claim is unfounded.
Verdict
False.
There is no credible evidence that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ordered the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, to resign.
The claim was publicly debunked by the governor’s media office, and no reputable media organisation has confirmed the report.
