Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Monday announced the endorsement of his deputy, Obafemi Hamzat, as his preferred successor for the 2027 governorship election.
The announcement followed a closed-door meeting held at Lagos House, Marina, where Hamzat formally declared his intention to contest the state’s top office before members of the State Executive Council and key leaders of the ruling party.
Also in attendance were members of the Governor’s Advisory Council, including former Minister of State for Defence, Musiliu Obanikoro, and Ganiyu Solomon, among others.
Addressing journalists after the meeting, Sanwo-Olu described the endorsement as a unanimous decision by stakeholders, expressing confidence in Hamzat’s capacity to lead 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 their working relationship over the past seven years, citing his “integrity, loyalty, commitment, and support” as key attributes.
“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 added.
The governor also acknowledged the role of President Bola Tinubu in shaping their political journey, describing him as instrumental in bringing both leaders together.
“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 his deputy as ready for higher responsibility, Sanwo-Olu said, “This is a deputy governor that is worth a governor from day one… 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 characterised the meeting as a consultative process involving party leaders and government officials, noting that the decision followed broad consensus.
“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,” he said.
The endorsement signals an early political alignment within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos as preparations gradually begin ahead of the 2027 general elections.