Ahead of the upcoming gubernatorial primary, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu officially endorsed his deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, as his preferred successor for the 2027 election.
The announcement came on Monday following a closed-door session at Lagos House, Marina, where Hamzat formally declared his candidacy before members of the State Executive Council and prominent party stakeholders.
The meeting also drew heavyweights from the Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC), including former Minister of State for Defence Musiliu Obanikoro and Senator Ganiyu Solomon.
Briefing journalists afterward, Sanwo-Olu noted that the endorsement represented a “unanimous decision” by the leadership, praising Hamzat as a prepared and capable leader ready to take the helm of the state.
“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 said.
“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.”
Sanwo-Olu highlighted Hamzat’s experience and working relationship with him over the past seven years, noting his “integrity, loyalty, commitment, and support” as defining qualities.
“He is a man who has worked with me at the highest level of integrity, loyalty, commitment, support, and so I feel personally honoured and privileged that he has given me this honour to inform me,” he said.
The governor thanked President Bola, who he said is instrumental to the discovery of himself and Hamzat, as well as their working relationship.
“We thank our father, our leader, Mr President, who saw the vision… that long run is what is already being manifested here today,” he said.
Describing Hamzat as ready for leadership, Sanwo-Olu also said: “This is a deputy governor that is worth a governor from day one, this is a man that has been built for this job, and we believe that he deserves to be given a chance to go and run this state.”
He further characterised the meeting as a consultative process involving party leaders and government officials, noting that the endorsement followed broad agreement among stakeholders.
“It’s been a very warm family meeting, and at the end of the day, it was unanimous that Mr Deputy Governor is fit, ready, well baked… for this job.”.
Novel for Lagos politics, this early endorsement points to a coordinated front within the APC.
It serves as a clear signal of intent as the state’s political machinery begins to ramp up for the 2027 general elections.
Persecondnews reported on Sunday that the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, had also formally endorsed Hamzat’s bid for the Lagos top job.
The endorsement took place on Sunday at Gbajabiamila’s Oniru residence, where Hamzat arrived accompanied by a high-powered delegation of state party stalwarts.
The visit is a key milestone in Hamzat’s strategic consultations as he builds momentum for the 2027 elections.
Underscoring the weight of the endorsement, the Deputy Governor’s entourage featured prominent members of the Lagos APC, including former Minister of State for Defence, Sen. Musiliu Obanikoro; GAC Secretary, Chief Mutiu Are; and Sen. Ganiyu Solomon.
In his endorsement, Gbajabiamila hailed the Deputy Governor as a leader of exceptional competence and capacity, expressing full confidence in Hamzat’s ability to advance the state’s development.
He emphasized that Hamzat’s track record—both in his current role and throughout his years of public service—demonstrated the exact type of leadership Lagos requires.
The Chief of Staff further argued that the APC needs a proven “performer” in 2027 to sustain the state’s developmental momentum.
Securing the right successor, he noted, is essential not only for progress but also for ensuring the opposition remains unable to gain a foothold in the state.
“I thank you for coming here to solicit support;I do not take this for granted as I see it as a mark of honour.
“You are someone I have known for years; you have demonstrated strong leadership as deputy governor and I am not in any doubt about your capacity to deliver the goods.
“I know what you have done for years and I am sure you will follow the blueprint and even elevate it to another level.
“The governorship election is a contest; there are many people out there who are determined to wrestle power,and for you to stop them, you need capacity, you need unity and you need to carry everyone along, which you have started to do now.
“It is time to roll up our sleeves, we have an election to win and a state to govern and take to another level. I have no doubt you have the capacity and you can count on my support,” he said.
While also declaring the support of the people of his Surulere constituency for Hamzat’s governorship bid, he urged party members to give the aspirant all the support to take the state to the next level.
Earlier, Hamzat said he visited Gbajabiamila to solicit his support and seek his advice and guidance.
He called on party members to protect the trust the people had in APC, saying his aspiration was about taking the state to another level.
He said Lagos, as the nerve centre of the country, was too important to be put in the hands of those who,he said,knew nothing about governance, calling for continuity.
“Our nation has crossed that bridge. Our economy is better now, but we must not make the mistake of thinking everyone is happy.
“Those who have lost their feeding bottle are not happy, they are entrenched and have big money, that makes a dangerous combination.
“So, anything that is good must be protected; we have to protect the path laid by our President.
“We need to continue to show the opponents the process and I know, we will win the election,” he said.
Expressing his gratitude, Hamzat thanked the Chief of Staff for his endorsement and his longstanding commitment to the party’s growth.
The sentiment was echoed by Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, who described the Deputy Governor as a man of “competence and integrity,” adding that Hamzat’s sure-footed leadership is exactly what Lagos needs to reach greater heights.
Obanikoro concluded by calling on all party members to unite behind Hamzat’s candidacy.
Significantly, Gbajabiamila’s public backing effectively silences long-standing rumors that he was eyeing the governorship for himself.
Persecondnews reports that this wave of support appears to be consolidating the party’s ranks, as Speaker of the House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa—previously considered a top contender—has also thrown his weight behind Hamzat’s bid
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