Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has publicly dismissed widespread rumours suggesting a strained relationship between him and the Governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun. The governor's office issued a strong rebuttal on Thursday, January 8, 2026, labelling the reports as false and malicious.
Brotherly Bond Between Neighbouring Governors
In an official statement, the Lagos State Government clarified that the relationship between the two leaders is not only cordial but brotherly. The statement emphasised that Governor Sanwo-Olu and Prince Abiodun meet regularly and communicate frequently on issues of mutual interest, driven by the shared boundaries and socio-cultural ties between Lagos and Ogun States.
"We wish to state clearly that this is not true. In fact, it is the direct opposite of the relationship that exists between the two leaders," the statement read. It further described their alliance as one bound by a common vision to improve the lives of their citizens.
The government issued a stern warning to purveyors of fake news, urging them to desist from sowing seeds of discord between the two governors who are committed to regional development.
Update on the Tragic GNI Building Inferno
In a separate but equally critical development, Governor Sanwo-Olu provided a detailed update on the devastating fire that engulfed the 25-storey Great Nigeria Insurance (GNI) Building on Martins Street, Lagos Island. The incident occurred on Christmas Eve.
After an on-the-spot assessment of the site nine days later, with pockets of fire still smouldering, the governor confirmed the tragic loss of life. Eight people died in the inferno, while 13 others were successfully rescued alive.
Safety Violations and Government's Decisive Action
Governor Sanwo-Olu, who described the event as deeply painful, led a minute of silence in honour of the victims. He attributed the fire's cause to human error and highlighted alarming safety breaches discovered during the inspection.
Multiple generators were found operating on different floors of nearby shopping plazas, a practice he stated significantly elevates fire risk. The blaze also affected several adjoining structures on Martins, Shitta, and Breadfruit streets.
Consequently, the governor announced a crackdown on unsafe buildings, stating that the government would not hesitate to take tough decisions. Structures failing integrity tests following thorough technical assessments will be demolished to prevent future tragedies and ensure stricter compliance with safety regulations across the state.
