Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has endorsed his deputy, Obafemi Hamzat, as his preferred successor for the upcoming 2027 governorship election.
This endorsement follows a closed-door meeting held at the Lagos House in Marina, where Hamzat formally declared his intention to run for the governorship position before members of the State Executive Council and key party leaders.
In a press conference following the meeting, Governor Sanwo-Olu expressed that the decision to endorse his deputy was unanimous among those present. He emphasized that Hamzat is well-equipped and prepared to lead the state, underscoring his competitiveness for the governorship role.
Sanwo-Olu stated, “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 described Hamzat as a capable leader, stating, “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
Highlighting Hamzat’s qualifications, Sanwo-Olu spoke about his extensive experience and his working relationship with him over the past seven years. The governor characterized Hamzat’s integrity, loyalty, and commitment as defining traits that make him an ideal candidate for the governorship position. “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,” Sanwo-Olu remarked.
During his address, the governor extended his gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, recognizing his vital role in fostering the collaboration between himself and Hamzat. “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, acknowledging the broader political framework in which their leadership has developed.
Sanwo-Olu continued to advocate for Hamzat’s readiness for leadership, stating, “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 emphasized that the endorsement was the product of a consultative process that involved party leaders and government officials. The governor described the meeting as a “warm family meeting,” reiterating that the endorsement stemmed from broad agreement among stakeholders.
This significant political development signals an early alignment within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos as political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 general elections. With this endorsement, Hamzat is poised to solidify his position as a leading contender for the governorship, as he prepares to launch his campaign in a state where political dynamics are constantly evolving.
