Sanwo-olu

As the race for Lagos State’s governorship in 2027 intensifies, three key figures have emerged as frontrunners to succeed Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

Senator Tokunbo Abiru, Deputy Governor Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, and businessman Seyi Tinubu are all vying for the coveted position, according to a ThisDay report.

Senator Abiru is known for his financial expertise, having transitioned from banking to politics seamlessly.

His background and strategic engagement with Lagos business leaders have drawn attention, as he positions himself as a technocrat with the vision to propel Lagos forward.

Abiru’s connections within the financial sector are a major asset, making him a popular choice among elites who see him as a figure capable of handling Lagos’s complex economy.

Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, the current Deputy Governor, has built his career on loyalty and a solid connection to grassroots communities across the state.

Hamzat has gained trust among Lagosians through his hands-on approach and frequent town hall meetings, often touted as “coronation rehearsals” by political insiders.

With years of experience in governance and a reputation for unwavering commitment to his role, Hamzat has cultivated significant support from within the political establishment.

Seyi Tinubu, son of former Lagos governor and current president, Bola Tinubu, has also made surprising strides.

Through philanthropic initiatives and “rice diplomacy”—distributing bags of rice to communities—Seyi has begun establishing his presence in neighbourhoods and markets across the state.

While his entry has raised some eyebrows, he represents a continuation of the Tinubu legacy, a factor that carries weight in Lagos politics.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has announced that his government has agreed to pay ₦85,000 minimum wage to workers in Lagos State.

The Governor disclosed this during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Tonight, themed “One-On-One with Babajide Sanwo-Olu,” on Wednesday, October 16, 2024.

Sanwo-Olu spoke on an array of issues, including transportation, road projects and measures being taken to provide succour for the residents amid the prevalent hunger and hardship in Nigeria.

“You mentioned minimum wage and what I need to throw in for my people. I’m glad to let you know that the minimum wage for Lagos, which we’ve discussed with our union, is N85,000 today.

“It’s not a competition, so I’m not going to say that we’re paying more than some other people; it’s a function of affordability and a function of capacity,” the governor said.

Gboyega Soyannwo, the Deputy Chief of Staff to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, is dead.

Soyannwo died on Wednesday, May 15, after a brief illness.

He was aged 55.

A statement signed by the commissioner for information and strategy, Gbenga Omotoso said: “With deep sorrow, the Lagos State Government announces the passing of the Deputy Chief of Staff (DCoS) to Mr Governor, Gboyega Soyannwo.

“Soyannwo died today after a brief illness. He was 55. Mr. Governor, @jidesanwoolu, on behalf of the Government and people of Lagos, sends his condolences to the Soyannwo family.

“I have lost a brother and a servant of the people,” Mr Governor said while breaking the news at the Executive Council (EXCO) meeting, After a minute’s silence in respect of the late DCoS, Mr Governor ended the EXCO meeting. The late Gboyega Soyannwo is survived by a wife and two children. May his soul rest in peace.”

Soyannwo was born on 3rd October 1968. He had his primary education at the Corona School Victoria Island, Lagos from 1974-1980 and his secondary education at the prestigious Kings College, Lagos from 1980-1985.

He thereafter proceeded to the Federal School of Arts & Science for his A-Levels which he completed in 1987.

He thereafter sought and was granted admission into the University of Lagos from where he graduated in 1992 earning a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc. Hons.) Degree in Economics. Soyannwo also holds an MBA (General Management) from the revered Lagos Business School.

Soyannwo started his career at the Central Bank of Nigeria in 1992 as a Youth Corp member.

He subsequently worked in the following institutions where he served in various capacities: Financial Services Consultants Limited, STACO Insurance Plc., and National Bank Of Nigeria Limited (now WEMA Bank Plc). Zenith Bank Plc. and Oceanic Bank International Plc (now Eco Bank Plc.), where he left in December 2009 as the Group Head of Commercial Banking to join the First Class Group Limited as Director of Finance and Strategy.

He was Deputy Chief of Staff (DCOS) to the Lagos State Governor (2019 – 2023).

He was re-appointed as the Deputy Chief of Staff (DCOS) to the Governor of Lagos State on June 8, 2023.

Gboyega is married to Yewande Soyannwo and they are blessed with children.

Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has denied claims that he announced a new minimum wage of N70,000 for workers.

Sanwolu-Olu made the clarification while reacting to widely circulated video and news reports on the matter.

According to the clarification given by the commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, in a statement on Thursday, the governor was erroneously quoted.

“The Lagos State Government has not increased the minimum wage, contrary to the impression in some media reports, which emanated from the unveiling of Eko Cares – the umbrella for the various interventions to protect the poor against the effects of the prevailing economic hardship,” he said.

“Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has been erroneously quoted as saying that a new minimum wage of N70,000 had been announced. This is wrong. Mr. Governor never said so. He said since January, civil servants had been earning the N35,000 wage award directed by the Federal Government.

“In other words, those earning N35,000 now earn N70,000. He did not announce a new minimum wage of N70,000.

Omotoso quoted the governor to have said, “I know that by the grace of God very very soon we’ll see a new minimum wage that will be approved for the Federal Government and for the state government.

“The civil servants and all public officers, they know that since January we have continued to pay the wage allowance of minimum of N35,000 over and above what they were earning before.

“People that were earning a minimum of N35,000 to N40,000 before, they are now earning over N70,000. So, it’s important for people to know and for us to lay this thing very clearly. This government has doubled up and has not left its citizens on their own.”

Lagos State Deputy Governor, Obafemi Hamzat, has faulted the claim by the Public Procurement Agency that his office got N2 billion to purchase rechargeable fans, rechargeable lights and fridges.

Hamzat in a memo addressed to the Director General of the procurement agency, said the approval for the project was N2m.

He also claimed that his wife got N2.5m each for her monthly outreach to indigents and empowerment programme as against the N30m captured by the agency.

Daily Trust reports that the state governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and his deputy, Hamzat, have come under criticism for approving N7.5 million to replace liquid fragrance in Sanwo-Olu’s office and N2bn to purchase rechargeable fans for the office of Hamzat.

However, Hamzat in a memo signed by Director, Finance and Account, Tola Ekemode on behalf the Permanent Secretary in the office of the deputy governor, said the report by the agency was untrue, mischievous, fake and unfounded.

“It is important to state that truly, the office did get approval and awarded the provision of supply items (rechargeable fans, rechargeable lights and fridges) for the sum of =N=2,017,840 (Two Million, Seventeen Thousand, Eight Hundred and Forty Naira) as against the =N=2,017,840,000 (Two Billion, Seventeen Million, Eight Hundred and Forty Thousand Naira as reported by Doherty in his purported letter

“In addition, the report that the office through the Wife of the Deputy Governor spent =N=30,000,000 monthly for outreach to indigents is inaccurate as the amount stated covered the whole year. It is =N=2,500,000 per month. Same for the Empowerment programme by the Wife of the Deputy Governor which also =N=2,500,000 per month as against =N=30,000,000 monthly reported,” read the memo.

He called on the agency to take immediate action to take prompt action in addressing the issue by giving the general public a true account of what was approved.

“The Office of the Deputy Governor wishes to state in unequivocal terms, for your immediate action and the attention of millions of readers that the report is untrue, mischievous, fake and unfounded.

“We are compelled to write this letter due to the inaccuracies it conveyed; as the story was completely different and not a true reflection of what we have in our records. Also, we would not allow some individual(s) and journalists with mischievous inclination to bring the personality and name of the Deputy Governor, his wife and the office to disrepute,” he said.