‘Sanwo-Olu Not Asked To Resign’ — Lagos Gov’t Debunks Report

The Lagos State Government has dismissed as false a media report (not LEADERSHIP) alleging that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu was asked to resign from office on health grounds.

In a statement issued late Monday, the Governor’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Gboyega Akosile, described the report, published by an online news platform, as “entirely false” and misleading.

“We have noted with concern a false report by Sahara Reporters alleging that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has been ‘ordered to resign on health grounds’ with the Deputy Governor set to take over. This report is false in its entirety,” Akosile said.

He stressed that no individual or authority had requested the governor’s resignation, adding that the claim was consistent with what he described as a pattern of misinformation by the online platform.

“Nobody has asked the Lagos Governor to resign—this is another fake news, which has become a pattern of Sahara Reporters,” he added.

Akosile further reassured residents of the State that Sanwo-Olu remained in good health and continued to carry out his official duties without interruption.

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

The media aide noted that the governor earlier received Deputy Governor Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat during a courtesy visit at the Government House on Monday.

According to him, the deputy governor used the meeting to formally inform Sanwo-Olu of his intention to contest for the governorship position in the 2027 elections.

“Earlier today, the Governor received Deputy Governor Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, who paid him a courtesy visit to formally notify him of his intention to contest for Governor. The meeting was held in a cordial atmosphere, as is customary,” Akosile stated.

While criticising the online newspaper for what he termed a history of disinformation, Akosile said the State government found it necessary to respond in order to prevent the public from being misled.

“While Sahara Reporters has a track record of publishing disinformation, we are issuing this clarification to prevent the public from being misled by deliberate falsehoods. We would ordinarily ignore such baseless reports, but the need to reassure Lagosians makes this response necessary,” he said.

He urged members of the public to disregard the report and treat it as fake news.