…..Lagos Governor’s lavish Caribbean party raises questions amidst ongoing challenges
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos finds himself under scrutiny following a Premium Times exposé on his extravagant visit to Grenada, where he participated in the 50th birthday celebration of Abuja-based businesswoman and socialite, Aisha Achimugu.
While Sanwo-Olu in a post on X (formerly Twitter) provided an alibi, presenting a picture of himself and the Grenadian Prime Minister engaged in discussions, the controversy persists as questions regarding his attendance at the lavish celebration overshadow his diplomatic explanations.
Premium Times reported that the Lagos State Governor, traveling in a private aircraft, spent six days at Calivigny Island, an exclusive 80-acre location that reportedly costs around $132,000 per night. The celebration, organized in honor of Aisha Achimugu, took place against a backdrop of economic challenges and the Mandilas building fire in Lagos.
Despite Sanwo-Olu’s attempts to clarify his presence at the event through a picture showcasing him presenting a miniature model of the Lagos State Blue Line Rail to the Grenadian Prime Minister, concerns persist. Notably, the Lagos State X (formerly Twitter) handle had not preemptively shared any information regarding the meeting between the Governor and the Grenadian PM, adding to the skepticism surrounding the nature of Sanwo-Olu’s visit.
In response to the report, the Lagos State Government, via its official handle, stated that the presentation was made after talks on bilateral relations between Grenada and Lagos State in St. George over the weekend. The discussions supposedly covered tourism, agriculture, and other economic interests.
Governor Sanwo-Olu, in his rebuttal, did not deny attending the party but instead emphasized the bilateral talks with Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell.
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the statement reads, “Last weekend in St. George’s, Grenada, I presented Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell with a miniature of the Blue Line Rail and we engaged in extensive discussions on various aspects of our bilateral relations, focusing particularly on tourism, agriculture, and other economic interests that could benefit both our regions.
Lagos State Governor Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu presenting a miniature of the Blue Line train to Grenadian Prime Minister Dickon Michelle (left) after talks on bilateral relations between Grenada and Lagos State in St. George’s … last weekend. The two leaders exchanged ideas on… pic.twitter.com/VYYJQblWXn
— The Lagos State Govt (@followlasg) January 24, 2024
“Prime Minister Mitchell also shared exciting plans for Grenada’s upcoming 50th-anniversary celebrations in February. It was a productive and enriching exchange, setting the stage for deeper collaboration between our regions. Additionally, I had the opportunity to attend some social events, further strengthening the ties between our two nations.”
While the provided picture offers visual evidence of Sanwo-Olu’s presence in Grenada, it raises additional questions about the appropriateness of his attendance at a lavish celebration given the challenges faced by Lagosians.
The controversy prompts citizens to seek further clarification from the Lagos State Government regarding the specifics of the Governor’s activities during his time in Grenada and the nature of the bilateral talks with the Granadian Prime Minister.
As the debate unfolds, the lack of transparency and the Governor’s decision to remain silent on attending the extravagant celebration continue to fuel concerns about accountability and leadership during a time when Lagos State grapples with pressing issues.