Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat may have a long history of working closely, their unusual bond in governance is becoming epic and they are on their path to set a new record as the greatest duo in civilian government. These fine men have proved that political figures could be men of noble character and complete gentlemen. Since their inauguration as governor and deputy governor of Lagos State in 2019, they have continue to thrill people by their humility and gentle conduct as a team.
Many antecedents in history have shown that money, women and power often separate two close people, at least these have been the case in many instances. However, Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Obafemi Hamzat have defied this assumption by proving that power cannot separate any two friends, associates, partners and family members if they chose to remain true to each other.
Reliable sources asserted that when one of the duo was preparing for the state governorship race, the other gave his support and hoped his friend and associate will remember him when he succeeds. But as things changed and providence swapped the positions, both friends remained true to themselves and have been working in harmony, so far.
The uncommon bond between the two leaders is not only making them popular, they have become a formidable team and it is hard to break them. The attraction and honour among these two enlightened men make them stronger than any circumstances. It is certain that there is nothing they can’t achieve together. It takes only a high level of civility and spiritual advancement for two men in the corridor of power to share such level of trust and honour. Their gracious wives both maintain high level of maturity and never interfere in their men’s affairs. Two great men with two great women.
In classical Roman Republic, there was tales of two committed friends. Gaius Julius Caesar and Markus Antonio were two powerful Roman generals, though they both had different pedigrees, they stocked together in all times. When bitter rivalry ensured between the proconsul Caesar and his co-proconsul Pompey Magnus, Markus Antonio stood by his friend Gaius Julius Caesar and fought by him in every battle till they won.
When Gaius’ rivals in the Roman Senate got to assassinate him on the senate floor, they only succeeded after tricking Markus Antonio away, they knew that with the two great men standing side by side, their assassination plan would be foiled. However, Antonio avenged the plot against his friend’s death and restored Caesar’s legacy in the Roman Republic.
Right on our own soil, about four decades ago, we have also witnessed such loyalty, commitment and bond among powerful statesmen. The bond between Generals Murtala Muhammed, Olusegun Obasanjo and Theophilus Danjuma was great. When Murtala was assassinated the duo of Obasanjo and Danjuma foiled the coup de tat and restored order. The position of the head of state was mutually deliberated by the duo and they ran the country successfully. Many years later when Olusegun Obasanjo returned as a civilian president, he did not hesitate to invite his trusted friend and confidants to join his government.
The duo of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Deputy Governor Dr. Obafemi Hamzat have formed a great team many admire and history will remember their unfettered relationship. Theirs’ is the perfect example of what traditional folks termed and romanticized as the ideal friends. They both appear in public functions together, plan together, visit project sites together, speak in one voice on matters of the society. Just like biological twins share common DNAs, Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Obafemi Hamzat have proved without doubt that they both share same political ideology, common life philosophy and are spiritually in tandem on human affairs. Their admirable relationship proves that an injury to one is injury to both. In the eyes of Lagosians, Sanwo-Olu and Hamzat are one, those who love one of them end up embracing and loving the other. Comperes are now used to introducing the governor and his work partner at events.
What amazes many is the comportment and high level of intelligence the governor and his deputy have been conducting themselves. The governor is a good listener and a great observer. Whenever he appears in public functions, after performing the niceties he takes his seat and quietly watches people as they go about their roles.
He will never interrupts any speaker until it gets to his turn. His witty remark after that will reveal he absorbed everything said by every other speakers who spoke at the function. He gives his deputy respect whenever they appear together. Such mutual respect between two powerful figures can only be compared to what Fidel Castro and Ernesto Che Guevara displayed during the Cuban revolution.
Neither of them will want to prove he is the the boss. They are only concerned about the intellectual ideal they share. Sanwo-Olu and Hamzat both attend religious congregations and Hadiths and maintain low profile till the end of the sermons.
Their convoys never create the usual scenario common among Nigerian politicians. If you are not told the governor or the deputy governor are in a function, you will never know, because they don’t like to create unnecessary attention to themselves and they always remain focus on their mission. The duo are the perfect example of what is called gentlemen.
The governor and his amiable deputy have won the hearts of many people as two great men who are honest, cordial, civilized and humble. Neither of them is proving to be the boss and there have never been any indication, covertly or overtly, by either to brag about their achievements, they just go about their tasks of governing the state like a team of congenial twins. Where the governor appears, there is a high tendency that the deputy is around.
Also wherever the deputy governor appears, there is high possibility that the governor is within that perimeter. If they continue with this humble and beautiful bond till the end of their administration, new category of award will be instituted in their honour.
The Sanwo-Olu-Hamzat’s historic relationship is a remarkable item and an ideal model for other politicians to emulate across the country. People in high places must learn to trust each other and put loyalty and trust above power, wealth and influence.