Governor Sanwo-Olu Appoints President Tinubu’s Daughter as Market Council Chair Amid Renewed Political Ties
Governor Sanwo-Olu Appoints President Tinubu’s Daughter as Market Council Chair Amid Renewed Political Ties
TEC News!
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has appointed Folashade Tinubu-Ojo, the daughter of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as Chairperson of the newly reconstituted Lagos State Market Advisory Council. The appointment, announced during the council’s official inauguration, is generating interest not just for its strategic importance but also for its political undertones.
Governor Sanwo-Olu, during the event, charged the council members to serve with integrity, fairness, and transparency. He stressed the importance of safety and orderliness in market operations and highlighted the need to resolve disputes among traders and customers with impartiality. Commending the appointees for their past efforts, he described the reconstitution as a recognition of their dedication to public service and effective leadership.
In her acceptance remarks, Folashade Tinubu-Ojo, who also holds the title of Iyaloja General of Lagos, pledged to steer the council toward excellence. She emphasized the council’s focus areas: conflict resolution in markets, improved hygiene and sanitation, and peaceful coexistence among traders. She appealed to the state government for increased support to enable the council to deliver on its mandate.
However, the appointment comes in the wake of a highly publicized and unusual episode in the country’s political space. During the recent inauguration of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project, President Tinubu pointedly ignored Governor Sanwo-Olu in a handshake lineup, fueling speculation of an ongoing rift between the two long-time political allies. The president’s conspicuous snub — shaking hands with other dignitaries while bypassing Sanwo-Olu — quickly went viral and intensified talk of internal friction within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos.
Following public concern and behind-the-scenes negotiations, senior political stakeholders, including members of the influential Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC), intervened. Their efforts culminated in a reconciliation meeting last Sunday, where President Tinubu openly welcomed Governor Sanwo-Olu back “into his warm embrace.” The president, flanked by party leaders and close associates, declared the months-long rift officially over, signaling a restoration of trust.
Observers see the appointment of the president’s daughter to a key grassroots position in the state as a possible political gesture symbolizing renewed unity and alignment between the Lagos State Government and the Presidency.
As the political dust settles, Governor Sanwo-Olu and Tinubu-Ojo are now expected to work closely to enhance market reforms and strengthen the role of traders in Lagos’ economy, under a newly reinforced relationship at the highest levels of state leadership.
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