Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has endorsed Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat as his preferred successor for the 2027 governorship election, signaling an early political alignment within the All Progressives Congress ahead of the race.
The endorsement reportedly followed a closed-door meeting at Lagos House, where Hamzat formally declared his intention to contest for Governor before members of the State Executive Council and party leaders.
Also present at the meeting were members of the Governor’s Advisory Council, including Musiliu Obanikoro and Ganiyu Solomon, among other political stakeholders.
Speaking after the meeting, Sanwo-Olu described the endorsement as a unanimous decision reached by those in attendance, expressing confidence in Hamzat’s readiness for the role.
“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,” he 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 said his support for Hamzat was based on years of working closely together and his confidence in the deputy governor’s integrity, loyalty and competence.
“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 also acknowledged President Bola Tinubu, saying the President played a role in the political partnership between the two men.
“We thank our father, our leader, Mr President, who saw the vision… that long run is what is already being manifested here today,” he added.
Sanwo Olu went further to describe Hamzat as someone long prepared for leadership and deserving of the opportunity to lead Lagos.
“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 said.
He described the gathering as a family-style, consultative meeting that ended with broad agreement on Hamzat’s candidacy.
“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… for this job,” he said.
The endorsement is expected to shape early conversations within the APC as attention gradually turns toward the 2027 general elections.
