By Ghazali Ibrahim
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has thrown his weight behind his deputy, Obafemi Hamzat, as his preferred successor ahead of the 2027 governorship election, amid intensifying political realignments within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The endorsement, followed a closed door meeting at Lagos House, Marina, on Monday, where Hamzat formally declared his intention to contest the most superior seat in the state before key party leaders and members of the state executive council.
Former minister of state of Defense, Musiliu Obanikoro, members of the Governor’s Advisory and other bigwigs were also present at the meeting.
Sources within the party say Sanwo-Olu has privately and publicly described his deputy as “the right man for the job,” citing his experience and role in the current administration.
According to Punch Newspaper, while addressing journalists after meeting, Sanwo-Olu said the endorsement was born out of a unanimous decision reached by stakeholders.
“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”, Sanwo-Olu remarked.
“It is 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 also use the avenue to thank President Bola Tinubu for being instrumental in discovering the governor and his deputy as well as their working relationships.
The development comes as influential blocs within Lagos politics, including members of the Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC) and party chieftains, continue to rally support for Hamzat.
At recent political gatherings, senior figures have repeatedly referred to him as a likely “incoming governor,” further fuelling speculation about a consensus arrangement within the APC.
Hamzat, who has served as deputy governor since 2019, is widely seen as a loyal ally within the Lagos political structure and had previously stepped down for Sanwo-Olu during the 2018 primaries, a move that strengthened his standing among party leaders.
