A heated public dispute has erupted between supporters of Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and suspended journalist Steve Osuji, centering on the performance of the state administration over the past six years.
The Core of the Controversy
The conflict stems from a series of social media columns written by Mr. Steve Osuji on his platform, 'Expresso Umbbrage.' In these writings, Osuji has leveled severe criticism at Governor Sanwo-Olu and his administration, accusing them of achieving little since 2019. A particular article titled "Ikoyi Cemetery: Yet another metaphor for abysmal Lagos" sparked significant reaction. Osuji used the state of the cemetery to criticize the government, a point contested by the governor's defenders who argue cemetery maintenance falls under local council jurisdiction, not the state.
Osuji's broader accusations claim the Sanwo-Olu government has "lapsed into a state of suspended animation" and described the era as potentially "eight years of vacuous emptiness." He specifically stated that apart from completing the long-standing Lagos Light Rail project and the ongoing Lekki-Epe Expressway, no other remarkable work could be credited to the governor.
A Fact-Checking Response
In response, a concerned Lagos resident and journalist, Steve Omolale, conducted a verification exercise using the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act. Omolale sought to confirm or refute the claims made by Osuji, whose suspension by the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) in July of the previous year for professional misconduct was noted.
Omolale's findings present a starkly different picture of the Sanwo-Olu administration's record. The fact-check highlights numerous achievements that directly counter the narrative of inactivity.
Documented Achievements in Education and Health
In the education sector, the administration's documented accomplishments include:
- Establishing nine new schools across the state with a total enrollment of 4,588 pupils (2,310 girls and 2,278 boys).
- Hiring over 2,000 new teachers.
- Renovating and rehabilitating several existing schools.
- Distributing 18,912 mobile devices to SS2 students.
- Paying West African Examinations Council (WAEC) fees for all public school students.
- Adding two new universities to the single one that existed six years prior.
For the health sector, where Osuji claimed to see no achievements, the verification revealed:
- Recruitment of 2,200 health professionals.
- Massive rehabilitation of health facilities, including Ebute-Metta, Harvey Road, and Ketu-Ejinrin health centres, as well as Somolu and Isolo general hospitals.
- Inauguration of four Mother and Child Centres (MCCs) in Epe, Ajah, Badagry, and Igando.
- 1,417 residents benefiting from free surgeries across the state.
- The establishment of an oxygen plant in Yaba to bolster epidemic preparedness, building on the experience of managing the COVID-19 pandemic.
Underlying Tensions and Conclusions
Omolale's rebuttal characterizes Osuji's criticisms as "products of his imagination laced with bitterness," lacking in objectivity. He also references the Supreme Court case on local government allocations, noting that Lagos State under Sanwo-Olu insisted it should not have been joined in the suit because it has never denied councils their funds.
The exchange underscores a deeper conflict between critical media commentary and governmental self-presentation. While one party views the administration's efforts as substantial and visible, the other dismisses them as insufficient. This fact-based rebuttal challenges the public to look beyond what it calls "disingenuous criticisms" and assess the documented projects and figures presented by the state government.
