Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has thrown his weight behind his deputy, Obafemi Hamzat, as his preferred successor for the 2027 governorship election, setting the stage for early succession alignment within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The endorsement followed a high-level closed-door meeting held Monday at Lagos House, Marina, where Hamzat formally declared his intention to contest the state’s top seat before members of the State Executive Council, party leaders, and the Governor’s Advisory Council.
Key political figures in attendance included former Minister of State for Defence, Musiliu Obanikoro, and ex-senator Ganiyu Solomon, underscoring the weight of the gathering.
Speaking to journalists after the meeting, Sanwo-Olu described the endorsement as a unanimous decision by stakeholders, expressing strong confidence in Hamzat’s readiness to lead Africa’s largest city economy.
“We received the Deputy Governor alongside a formidable delegation of leaders to formally inform us of his intention,” Sanwo-Olu said. “It was a unanimous position that he is fit, capable, and well-prepared for the responsibility.”
The governor pointed to Hamzat’s track record and their nearly eight-year working relationship as key factors behind his endorsement, describing him as a tested administrator with deep institutional knowledge.
“This is a deputy governor who has been ready for leadership from day one. He understands the system, the people, and the vision required to move Lagos forward,” he added.
Sanwo-Olu also acknowledged the enduring political influence of President Bola Tinubu in shaping leadership continuity in the state, noting that the current development reflects a long-standing vision.
Describing the meeting as a “family consultation,” the governor emphasized that there was broad-based agreement among party stakeholders and government officials on Hamzat’s candidacy.
The early endorsement—coming well ahead of party primaries—signals a strategic move within the APC to consolidate internal support and shape the succession narrative in Lagos.
Hamzat, a former Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure and serving two-term deputy governor, has long been regarded as a central figure in Lagos politics, though he is yet to officially launch a full campaign.
Political observers say the development is likely to trigger fresh calculations within the APC, as the race for control of Lagos—one of Nigeria’s most politically and economically significant states—gradually takes shape.
