First meeting between Fashola, Ambode, and Sanwo-Olu in four years occurs at Tinubu’s reception

Sanwo-Olu’s attendance at Ambode’s 60th birthday celebration in Lagos on June 14, 2023, served as an earlier sign of reconciliation.

Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu appeared at a public event with two of his predecessors in a scene that is as uncommon as hen’s teeth, indicating that the internal fighting within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State appears to be finished.

At a ceremony honoring President Bola Tinubu held on Thursday at the Lagos House in the state’s Marina district, Sanwo-Olu, Akinwunmi Ambode, and Babatunde Fashola crossed paths.

In a tweet, Gboyega Akosile, a representative for Sanwo-Olu, shared the heartwarming sight while emphasizing that this will be the trio’s first reunion in more than four years.

How Things Began

Ambode is the only previous governor of the state to hold office for just one term since Nigeria’s return to democracy in 1999. Before turning over to Fashola, who served as governor from 2007 to 2015 and then as minister of works and housing for Nigeria from 2015 to 2023, Tinubu served as governor for nine years, from 1999 to 2007.

Ambode began office in 2015, however he was unsuccessful in winning the All Progressives Congress (APC) nomination for governor in the 2019 election due to internal party disputes, including rumors that Tinubu, the APC’s strongman in Lagos, had favored the outgoing governor, Sanwo-Olu, over Ambode.

Ambode has not been spotted at any political or social events with his predecessors, Tinubu and Fashola, since the conclusion of his one-term in 2019. He hasn’t been spotted with the current governor at any occasions either.

When he was occasionally photographed at APC national events, such as in May 2021 when he was named the deputy chairman of the South-West subcommittee of the ruling party’s Contact and Strategy Committee, the former governor has also exhibited reserve.

There have been rumors that Ambode and Sanwo-Olu will compete for the party’s governorship ticket at the primary in May 2022. Instead, Wale Oluwo, one of his allies, entered the contest but came in second to Sanwo-Olu.

A Suggestion For Peace

Ambode did not officially support Tinubu’s bid for the presidency in 2023, in contrast to Fashola and Sanwo-Olu. After the results were announced, Ambode also remained silent regarding Tinubu’s victory. On June 14, 2023, Sanwo-Olu attended Ambode’s 60th birthday celebration in Lagos, and there were signs of reconciliation.