In the aftermath of a Premium Times exposé about Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s unannounced trip to Granada, several questions from citizens and stakeholders have arisen.
Leading the line of those difficult questions is the Labour Party’s gubernatorial candidate in the 2023 elections, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, who published a statement yesterday demanding answers from the Lagos State Government.
It will be recalled that the story detailed Governor Sanwo-Olu’s absence from official duties in favour of what appeared to be a leisure trip to Granada, contrary to his unevidenced claims that the expensive trip was official.
Responding to the revelations Rhodes-Vivour in a post on X challenged Governor Sanwo-Olu to address several critical inquiries regarding the trip including clarification on whether there was official correspondence between the governments of Granada and Lagos State outlining the purpose and details of the purported meetings that led to the governor’s visit.
He also raised questions about why the trip was not documented in the governor’s official itinerary and why no prior announcement was made regarding the visit.
Going further, he also asked for information on which officials from the Lagos government accompanied the governor on the trip and which media organizations or journalists were part of the delegation.
He also demanded clarity on who financed the governor’s flights, lodging, and other expenses during his time in Granada, urging Sanwo-Olu to provide documented evidence to support his claims.
Criticizing the length and purported purpose of the trip, Rhodes-Vivour questioned why the governor, responsible for overseeing a populous state like Lagos, required a week-long visit to a significantly smaller nation like Gramada, especially when travelling by private jet.
Concluding his statement, GRV sought specific explanations about how the trip to Granada would directly benefit Lagos State and its residents, emphasizing the importance of accountable governance and judicious use of public resources.