Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu stated on Monday that his deputy, Obafemi Hamzat, is his preferred successor for the state’s 2027 governorship election.
The statement came following a closed-door meeting at Lagos House in Marina, when Hamzat formally proclaimed his decision to run for governor in front of State Executive Council members and other party leaders.
Members of the Governor’s Advisory Council were also in attendance, including former Minister of State for Defense Musiliu Obanikoro and Ganiyu Solomon, among others.
Sanwo-Olu told journalists following the meeting that the endorsement was a unanimous decision made by all parties present. He described Hamzat as ready and competent for heading 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 emphasized Hamzat’s experience and working relationship with him over the previous seven years, citing his “integrity, loyalty, commitment, and support” as distinguishing characteristics.
“He is a man who has worked with me at the highest level of integrity, loyalty, commitment, and support, and so I feel personally honored and privileged that he has given me this honor to inform me,” he said.
The governor thanked President Bola Tinubu, who he said is instrumental to the discovery of himself and Hamzat, as well as their working relationship.
“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, who said Hamzat is ready for leadership, said, “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 went on to describe the meeting as a consultation process including party leaders and government officials, stressing that the support was the result of widespread agreement among stakeholders.
“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 development implies an early alignment within Lagos’ ruling All Progressives Congress, as political activities gain traction ahead of the 2027 general elections.
