Why I represented Tinubu to commission Sanwo-Olu’s projects — Akpabio

Senate President Godswill Akpabio has explained why he represented President Bola Tinubu at the inauguration of projects executed by the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, citing the demands of the President’s office.

He spoke on Wednesday at the commissioning of the Opebi-Ojota Link Bridge and e-GIS complex, where Tinubu was notably absent.

Responding to remarks by the Chairman of the Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC), Tajudeen Olusi, who expressed a desire to see Tinubu at the event, Akpabio said the President’s responsibilities make it difficult for him to attend all engagements.

“You said you would have loved to see your son President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and yet, you also said it was predicted that one day he would be president of Nigeria,” Akpabio said.

“So, if you knew that he was going to be president of Nigeria, it means you also consented that you were selling him to Nigeria and the global community. That means that sometimes when you want to see him, he might not be available because of the exigencies of his office,” he added.

Akpabio further justified his role as the president’s representative, noting his personal ties to Lagos and familiarity with the state’s development.

“You wonder why the Senate President came to represent the president in Lagos… because the Senate President himself is a Lagosian. I live right behind Bourdillon and I’ve been there for the past 30 years. I worked at Ajose-Adeogun, I know Opebi, I know Allen,” he said.

He added that he was well positioned to attest to the transformation of Lagos and relay the significance of the projects to a national audience.

“When democratic dividends of this nature… are brought forward… who is in the best position to represent the president? It is the Senate President. The message is resonating around the country now,” Akpabio said.

The event was attended by several top political figures, including governors and federal lawmakers, as well as Lagos political leaders such as GAC chair, Prince Tajudeen Olusi, Speaker of the State Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, Senator Wasiu Eshinlokun and Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa.