2027 Lagos Race: Tinubu, GAC Endorses Obafemi Hamzat

President Bola Tinubu has formally endorsed Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, as the All Progressives Congress (APC) consensus candidate for the 2027 Lagos governorship election following a crucial meeting with members of the Lagos State Governance Advisory Council (GAC) at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

The endorsement marks a major political development in Lagos ahead of the 2027 governorship race and further strengthens Hamzat’s position within the ruling APC structure in the state.

Speaking to State House correspondents after the meeting, Obafemi Hamzat described the endorsement as a vote of confidence from respected political leaders who believe in his capacity to lead Lagos State.

“These are fathers, they are leaders, they’ve seen a lot of Christmas, they’ve seen a lot of Eid El Kabir, so they have experience, therefore I’m really excited that they brought me here to meet Mr President, and Mr President has blessed us and blessed the decision of GAC,” Hamzat said.

The deputy governor acknowledged the enormous responsibility attached to governing Lagos but expressed confidence in his experience after serving under Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu since 2019.

“Nobody is ready because the assignment is audacious. But what you have is experience. Having served as Deputy Governor, I’ve learnt a lot. I know the room. I know where the kitchen is. With God’s blessings and the support of all my fathers here, I really don’t have any fear,” he added.

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The endorsement by President Tinubu came barely 24 hours after the 34-member Governance Advisory Council (GAC) unanimously adopted Hamzat as its consensus candidate during a strategic meeting at Lagos House, Marina.

The GAC, widely regarded as the highest political decision-making body within the Lagos APC, reportedly also pledged to purchase Hamzat’s ₦50 million nomination form as a show of total support and party unity ahead of the primaries.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu had earlier publicly declared Hamzat as his preferred successor during a gathering with party stakeholders in Lagos.

Political observers believe the back-to-back endorsements from both Sanwo-Olu and Tinubu significantly position Hamzat as the frontrunner in the race to succeed the incumbent governor in 2027.

Despite the consensus arrangement, GAC leaders clarified that the APC governorship primary election scheduled for May 21 would still hold in line with the party’s constitutional guidelines.

Nomination forms for aspirants are expected to close on May 4.

Reacting to criticism from some party members over the adoption process, GAC chairman Tajudeen Olusi defended the decision, insisting that consensus remains a legitimate political strategy within democratic systems.

“We are in the arena of politics and people are free to express their opinions in a free society. But I have been in politics for a very long time. It is part of the system that we come together, put our heads together and take a course of action,” Olusi stated.

Dr. Obafemi Hamzat is an engineer and seasoned technocrat who previously served as Lagos State Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure under former governors Babatunde Fashola and Akinwunmi Ambode before becoming deputy governor in 2019.

His emergence as the APC consensus candidate signals continuity within the political structure established by President Tinubu in Lagos over two decades ago.

The latest endorsement is expected to reshape political alignments within the Lagos APC as consultations and campaigns ahead of the 2027 governorship election intensify.

2027 Lagos Race: Tinubu, GAC Endorses Obafemi Hamzat

Kachikwu Celebrates Court Victory, Says ADC Hijack Plot Failed

Former presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Dumebi Kachikwu, has hailed the Federal High Court judgment nullifying recent congresses and conventions conducted by a faction allegedly aligned with former Senate President David Mark, describing the exercise as “kangaroo congresses and conventions.”

Kachikwu made the remarks while reacting to a judgment delivered by Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court in Abuja, which reportedly invalidated the disputed congresses and convention conducted by the rival faction within the party.

In a statement issued shortly after the ruling, Kachikwu described the judgment as a major setback for individuals he accused of attempting to illegally take control of the ADC structure ahead of the 2027 general elections.

“Today, a Federal High Court in Maitama nullified the kangaroo congresses and convention conducted by the David Mark-led group,” Kachikwu said.

According to him, Justice Abdulmalik held that the group lacked the legal standing to organise the congresses and convention in the first place.

“In her judgement, which could be classified as a stinging rebuke, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik held that even though this group didn’t have any locus, they proceeded to conduct, in her own words, ‘kangaroo congresses and convention,’ which she proceeded to nullify,” he stated.

Kachikwu further explained that the court recognised the state chairmen of the party, who constitute the National Executive Committee (NEC), as the legitimate body empowered to organise congresses and national conventions for the party.

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“She also held that, with the lacuna within the leadership of the ADC, the state chairmen of the party who make up the NEC of the party are the rightful body to conduct a national convention and congresses at the different levels and that INEC should recognise them as such,” he added.

The ADC chieftain said he had repeatedly warned against attempts by external political actors to seize control of the party structure for personal political interests.

“I had long warned that the ADC is not for sale and that these political buccaneers would be shown the way out through the same back door they came in from,” he declared.

Kachikwu maintained that the court ruling had now exposed what he described as a failed attempt to hijack the opposition party.

“With this judgment, it has become clear that these desperados who attempted to hijack our party have failed woefully. We are aware that they are shopping for other parties to destroy and wish them bon voyage,” he said.

The internal crisis within the ADC has intensified in recent months amid growing political realignments and coalition talks ahead of the 2027 elections.

Several opposition politicians and political blocs have reportedly explored alliances with smaller parties, including the ADC, as part of broader efforts to reposition ahead of the next electoral cycle.

Although former Senate President David Mark has not publicly responded to the latest allegations or the court ruling, the judgment is expected to deepen the leadership dispute within the party.

Kachikwu also used the opportunity to reassure party supporters that the ADC remains stable and will participate fully in future elections.

“To our party faithful, I urge you to remain vigilant. The battle is not over till it is over,” he stated.

“The ADC will be on next year’s ballot, and any Nigerian who genuinely desires to salvage Nigeria should see the ADC as a ready home. We shall overcome.”

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is yet to issue an official statement regarding the implications of the court ruling on the party’s leadership structure.

Political observers say the development could significantly influence ongoing opposition coalition discussions and internal power struggles within smaller political parties ahead of 2027.

Kachikwu Celebrates Court Victory, Says ADC Hijack Plot Failed

BREAKING: Court Bars INEC from Recognising Mark-Led ADC Congresses

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising or participating in any state congresses organised by committees set up by the caretaker leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

Delivering the ruling on Wednesday, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik held that the authority to conduct state congresses lies solely with the party’s state executive structures, not the national leadership.

The court affirmed that the existing State Working Committees and State Executive Committees of the ADC remain validly constituted, noting that their four-year tenure is still in force. According to the court, these structures can only be dissolved or replaced through properly conducted congresses followed by a duly convened national convention.

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Justice Abdulmalik further ruled that the caretaker or interim National Working Committee led by David Mark lacks the legal authority to constitute committees for the purpose of conducting state congresses. She stressed that neither the Nigerian Constitution nor the ADC’s internal constitution confers such powers on an interim leadership.

The ruling followed a suit instituted by Don Norman Obinna, Johnny Tovie Derek, Obah C. Ehigiator, Hon. Olona Yinka, Dr. Charles Idowu Omideji, Samuel Pam Gyang, and Obianyo Patrick, who approached the court on behalf of themselves and other state party leaders nationwide.

The plaintiffs argued that the actions of the Mark-led caretaker committee were ultra vires, particularly in appointing congress committees. They contended that any congress conducted under such arrangements would contravene the party’s constitution and undermine internal democracy.

Named as defendants in the suit were the ADC, David Mark, Patricia Akwashiki, Bolaji Abdullahi, Rauf Aregbesola, Oserheimen Osunbor, and INEC, all cited for their roles in the caretaker arrangement.

The plaintiffs also challenged the planned April 2026 state congresses, insisting that allowing the caretaker leadership to oversee the process would erode due process and weaken internal party governance.

With the court’s decision, INEC is now barred from recognising any outcome arising from congresses conducted by committees linked to the ADC caretaker leadership.

BREAKING: Court Bars INEC from Recognising Mark-Led ADC Congresses