Wale Ajetunmobi, the Senior Special Assistant on Media to Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has said that the actions of those in authority in the state sometimes send wrong signals.

This was after outrage erupted following news that the Lagos State Government had partnered with a woman they claimed was a critic of President Bola Tinubu, who once governed the state.

The Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture announced recently that it had partnered with the creator of Naija Brand Chick, Nelly Agbogu, for the mainland edition of the Lagos Tourism Naija Brand Chick Trade Fair.

Reacting, netizens recalled that the government’s partner for the fair, Nelly Agbogu, was a critic of President Tinubu.

They dug out a social media post of hers issued in the build-up to the 2023 presidential election, which described Tinubu as physically and mentally unfit to run for office.

She said, “Bola Ahmed Tinubu is physically and mentally unfit to be a presidential candidate. Don’t come to my comment section to defend nonsense. I will block you because you know the truth. Bola 1999 is not Bola 2022.”

According to the netizens, the Lagos State Government’s partnership with such a person gives insight into why Tinubu lost his home state of Lagos in the 2023 presidential election.

They also slammed the reward system of the Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), saying it rewards critics while sidelining loyalists.

An X user, @Alkaneseries, said, “Dear Governor @jidesanwoolu, Your reward system is the ‘best’ thing ever! You only reward people who openly criticise and insult you and your government. Posts like this were part of the reason why @officialABAT lost Lagos to Obi, yet you’re making this hater champion a tourism affair in Lagos. So there’s no single Yoruba person worthy of spearheading this event? One day will be one day; people will get tired, and you will lose your grip on power in Lagos if you continue on this path! Make amends.”

Another user, @dmightyangel, said, “Whatever @IdrisConnecting ‘Melting pot’ is doing in Lagos, don’t think it’s a mistake or he doesn’t have backings…It’s deliberate. If you’re wondering why APC lost that Presidential election in Lagos, be now clear that people in Lagos govt knew about all the actions.

“Not a fan of speaker Obasa, but now, you know why the removal of Obasa was vehemently resisted because those who knew more than some of us that showed emotion knew that left to these folks alone, APC would have been out of power both in Lagos and the Federal.”

@yomiable said, “This said lady that and this despicable thing is here being rewarded with a seat on the tourism board of Lagos State. When Uzo Art went to Mr Idris Aka Lagos culture, you think they don’t know what they are doing. The perfect reward system, as described by Raji Fashola. You people are repulsive!!!!”

@i_am_afobaje said, “Truly, the APC reward system is bad. You promote those who never give a damn about how you got to power, while you sideline those who tirelessly worked for the party. The same people who openly mock you and your bosses are those who get the rewards. Such a shame.”

As the backlash continued to pour in, Sanwo-Olu’s aide, Ajetunmobi, expressed displeasure that the haters of Lagos and its politics are not getting the treatment they deserve from the state. According to him, such people will not play fair if they hold positions of power.

Ajetunmobi wrote, “We can’t blame these unscrupulous Obidient opportunists for taking advantage of our friendly nature despite their unbridled hatred and hostility towards our politics, political leaders and party; we can actually blame ourselves for not playing their own game in the same coin they put down.

“For these unprincipled muppets won’t send you if the table had turned their direction. They would not waste time to marshal their raw anger to drag and cancel you if you are the one in need of the same opportunities they now hustle to benefit from (our) government, which they passionately despise.

“Check: how many opposition members have they freely rewarded either directly or otherwise in the only state being governed by their mob-led party?

“Our actions sometimes send wrong signals. We can do better and appreciate those who have stood firm.”