Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has officially endorsed his deputy, Obafemi Hamzat, as his preferred successor for the 2027 governorship election, marking a significant development in the state’s political landscape. The endorsement came after a closed-door meeting at Lagos House, Marina, where Hamzat formally declared his intention to contest for the governorship before members of the State Executive Council and key party leaders. The meeting, which also included members of the Governor’s Advisory Council, was attended by prominent figures such as former Minister of State for Defence, Musiliu Obanikoro, and Ganiyu Solomon, among others.
Sanwo-Olu, speaking to journalists after the meeting, emphasized that the decision to back Hamzat was unanimous among all stakeholders present. He described the deputy governor as well-prepared and fully capable of leading Lagos State into the future. “We just received Mr Deputy, who had come with a very powerful delegation of our leaders in the state to inform us of his intention to contest for the seat of the governorship position of the state,” the governor stated. He added, “It was unanimous with all of us to say that Mr Deputy Governor is a man who is fit and well-prepared for this job. He is a man who knows where all the rooms in the house are.”
The governor’s endorsement is seen as a strong signal of political continuity and stability within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos. Sanwo-Olu also expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu, crediting him for playing a key role in his own rise to power and in fostering the working relationship between him and Hamzat. This gesture underscores the influence of national leadership in shaping state-level political dynamics, particularly in a politically sensitive and economically vital state like Lagos.
Hamzat’s declaration and the governor’s endorsement come at a time when political parties across Nigeria are beginning to position their candidates for the 2027 general elections. Lagos, being the economic nerve center of Nigeria, attracts intense political attention, and the outcome of the 2027 governorship race will have far-reaching implications for national politics. The endorsement is expected to solidify Hamzat’s position within the APC and may influence the party’s internal dynamics as the election cycle progresses.
With the governor’s backing, Obafemi Hamzat is now poised to become a central figure in Lagos politics as the 2027 election approaches. His experience as deputy governor and his close alignment with Sanwo-Olu’s administration are likely to strengthen his campaign. As the state prepares for the next electoral cycle, the endorsement sets the stage for a potential seamless transition of power within the ruling party. This move could also influence how other political actors in Lagos position themselves in the coming months.
Leave a Comment