Lagos Council Chairmen Endorse Hamzat For 2027 Governorship Race

The race for the 2027 Lagos governorship election gathered momentum on Sunday as Conference 57, the umbrella body of council chairmen in Lagos State, officially endorsed Deputy Governor Dr Obafemi Hamzat as its preferred candidate for governor.

The endorsement was announced during a strategic meeting of local government chairmen held in Ikeja, where party stakeholders and grassroots political leaders pledged support for Hamzat’s anticipated bid under the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Conference 57 comprises chairmen of the 20 Local Government Areas and 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) across the state, making it one of the strongest grassroots political blocs in Lagos.

Speaking at the meeting, Conference 57 chairman, Sesan Olowa, said the decision followed consultations with President Bola Tinubu, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and leaders of the influential Governance Advisory Council (GAC).

According to Olowa, the council chairmen unanimously agreed that Hamzat possesses the experience, loyalty, and leadership qualities required to sustain Lagos’ growth and development.

“Our appreciation goes to President Tinubu, Governor Sanwo-Olu and GAC leaders for choosing Dr Kadri Obafemi Hamzat,” Olowa said.

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“We are proud of this decision and convinced it will move Lagos closer to its megacity aspirations.”

He noted that Hamzat had served Lagos State diligently for years and played strategic roles in different administrations, contributing significantly to governance, infrastructure development, and policy implementation.

Olowa added that the endorsement reflected the confidence grassroots political leaders had in the deputy governor’s capacity to lead Africa’s commercial capital.

Conference 57 spokesman, Olasoju Adebayo, also described Hamzat as an experienced technocrat and administrator with deep knowledge of governance and public service.

According to him, Hamzat’s tenure as commissioner in previous administrations helped lay the foundation for several technological and infrastructural reforms in Lagos.

“Dr Obafemi Hamzat is an astute administrator with wide experience across government institutions,” Adebayo said.

“When he served as commissioner, he laid foundations for technological and infrastructural advancement.”

Adebayo assured the deputy governor of widespread grassroots mobilisation ahead of the 2027 Lagos governorship election, stressing that many Lagos residents already trusted his leadership capacity.

Responding to the endorsement, Hamzat thanked the council and LCDA chairmen for their support and described local government officials as critical stakeholders because of their closeness to residents at the grassroots level.

“I thank all local government and LCDA chairmen for this endorsement. They have assured me of their support for Mr President and APC candidates in 2027,” Hamzat said.

The deputy governor also stressed the importance of long-term planning as Lagos continues to experience rapid population growth and urban expansion.

“Our party understands Lagos geography, its challenges and the solutions required,” he added.

The endorsement is expected to further strengthen Hamzat’s political standing within the Lagos APC, especially following recent reports that the Governance Advisory Council had adopted him as a consensus candidate ahead of the 2027 governorship race.

Political observers believe the backing of Conference 57 could significantly boost Hamzat’s grassroots support across the state as the succession battle gradually takes shape within the ruling party.

Lagos Council Chairmen Endorse Hamzat For 2027 Governorship Race

Governors Tighten Grip As APC Reps Lose Return Bids (Full List)

Several serving members of the House of Representatives have lost their bids to return to the National Assembly after failing to secure tickets during the All Progressives Congress (APC) primaries conducted across the country ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The primaries, held in various states over the weekend, produced major political upsets as influential lawmakers were defeated by challengers backed by governors, party stakeholders, and zoning arrangements.

One of the most prominent casualties was the House Majority Leader, Julius Ihonvbere, who lost the APC ticket for Owan Federal Constituency in Edo State.

Ihonvbere, who sought a third term in the House of Representatives, was defeated by former Edo State Commissioner for Mining, Andrew Ijegbai.

Political sources within the party linked his defeat to an existing zoning arrangement between Owan East and Owan West local government areas, which reportedly favoured a power shift.

The outcome has been described as one of the biggest surprises of the APC primaries, considering Ihonvbere’s influence within the House leadership and the ruling party structure.

Also in Edo State, Eseosa Iyawe, representing Oredo Federal Constituency, failed to secure the APC ticket after losing to former Commissioner for Education, Dr. Paddy Iyamu.

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Iyawe was originally elected into the House under the Labour Party before defecting to the APC during the ongoing wave of political realignments in the National Assembly.

His defeat is seen by political observers as a setback to his efforts to consolidate his political base within the ruling party.

In Imo State, four incumbent lawmakers were denied the opportunity to return to the House under the APC platform.

Those who lost out include Matthew Nwogu, representing Aboh Mbaise/Ngor Okpala Federal Constituency; Miriam Onuoha of Okigwe South Federal Constituency; Harrison Nwadike, representing Isu/Njaba/Nkwerre/Nwangele Federal Constituency; and Emeka Martins Chinedu of Ahiazu/Ezinihitte Federal Constituency.

The Imo primaries reportedly witnessed intense lobbying and influence from major political blocs loyal to Governor Hope Uzodimma, with several party leaders backing new entrants over incumbent lawmakers.

In Kwara State, Ismail Kayode, who currently represents Ifelodun/Oyun/Offa Federal Constituency, also lost his return ticket.

Kayode was defeated by Rafiu Ajakaye, a former Chief Press Secretary to Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.

Party insiders said Ajakaye enjoyed strong support from the state political structure and key stakeholders within the APC.

A similar scenario played out in Kebbi State where Mansur Musa Jega lost the APC ticket for Jega/Gwandu/Aleiro Federal Constituency.

The lawmaker was edged out following a consensus arrangement that produced former Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Jafar Ahmed Jega, as the party’s preferred candidate.

The use of consensus arrangements in several states has continued to generate controversy within the APC, with some aspirants accusing party leaders of imposing candidates.

Jigawa State also recorded significant casualties during the exercise as four serving lawmakers failed to clinch tickets.

The affected lawmakers include Muktar Muhammad of Kazaure/Roni/Gwiwa/Yankwashi Federal Constituency, Ibrahim Usman Auyo representing Hadejia/Auyo/Kafin Hausa Federal Constituency, Sa’adu Wada Taura of Ringim/Taura Federal Constituency, and Yusif Sa’idu Miga, representing Jahun/Miga Federal Constituency.

Political analysts say the outcome of the primaries reflects growing internal power shifts within the APC ahead of the 2027 elections, with governors and influential party figures tightening their grip on candidate selection processes.

In several states, aggrieved aspirants and their supporters reportedly protested the conduct of the primaries, alleging manipulation, imposition of candidates, and lack of transparency.

Despite the controversies, the APC leadership has insisted that the primaries were conducted in line with the party’s constitution and electoral guidelines.

The ruling party is expected to conclude appeals arising from the primaries in the coming days as preparations intensify for the 2027 general elections.

Additional Lawmakers Reportedly Affected In APC Primaries

• Julius Ihonvbere — Owan Federal Constituency (Edo)
• Eseosa Iyawe — Oredo Federal Constituency (Edo)
• Matthew Nwogu — Aboh Mbaise/Ngor Okpala (Imo)
• Miriam Onuoha — Okigwe South (Imo)
• Harrison Nwadike — Isu/Njaba/Nkwerre/Nwangele (Imo)
• Emeka Martins Chinedu — Ahiazu/Ezinihitte (Imo)
• Ismail Kayode — Ifelodun/Oyun/Offa (Kwara)
• Mansur Musa Jega — Jega/Gwandu/Aleiro (Kebbi)
• Muktar Muhammad — Kazaure/Roni/Gwiwa/Yankwashi (Jigawa)
• Ibrahim Usman Auyo — Hadejia/Auyo/Kafin Hausa (Jigawa)
• Sa’adu Wada Taura — Ringim/Taura (Jigawa)
• Yusif Sa’idu Miga — Jahun/Miga (Jigawa)

Governors Tighten Grip As APC Reps Lose Return Bids (Full List)

Buhari’s Son Wins APC Reps Ticket In Katsina Landslide Victory

Yusuf Buhari, son of former President Muhammadu Buhari, has expressed satisfaction with his emergence as the All Progressives Congress (APC) House of Representatives candidate for the Daura/Sandamu/Mai’adua Federal Constituency in Katsina State, describing his victory as a landslide.

The APC primary election, held on Saturday, produced Yusuf as the party’s flag bearer after a heavily contested process that drew attention due to the high-profile nature of the candidates involved.

Yusuf, in a post shared on social media while the election was ongoing, said he secured a decisive mandate from delegates. He stated: “Alhamdulillah! We have secured a landslide victory with 5,849 votes, defeating our opponent who polled just 21 votes. This overwhelming mandate is a clear demonstration of the trust, confidence and support of our people,” while thanking supporters for their backing.

At the conclusion of the exercise, the Chairman of the constituency APC primary election committee, Lawan Garba, officially announced that Yusuf Buhari polled 17,342 votes to defeat his closest rival, Auwalu Musa Daura, who scored 480 votes, confirming him as the party’s candidate for the 2027 House of Representatives election.

However, the outcome was immediately rejected by Auwalu Musa Daura, son of former DSS Director-General Lawan Daura, who alleged irregularities in the exercise. He claimed that the primary election did not follow APC guidelines and insisted that many participants were not registered party members, describing the process as flawed.

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Speaking in an interview with DCL Hausa shortly after the election, Yusuf Buhari described the process as peaceful and transparent, insisting that there was no violence or disruption during voting. He added that aggrieved candidates were free to seek legal or party-level redress if dissatisfied with the outcome.

“I thank Allah and will continue to appreciate the good people of Daura/Sandamu/Mai’Adua for coming out to vote for me,” he said, while also calling for unity within the party.

Yusuf added that he intends to carry all stakeholders along, including his opponents, in preparation for the general elections, stressing that his ambition represents a youth-driven movement aimed at increasing youth participation in politics.

The Daura/Sandamu/Mai’adua constituency is a politically significant stronghold in Katsina State, the home base of the Buhari political family, making the outcome particularly notable in the state’s political landscape.

The APC primaries in the state featured several competitive races, but Yusuf Buhari’s contest attracted significant public attention due to his family background and the involvement of other politically connected aspirants.

Party officials maintained that the exercise was conducted in line with APC guidelines and was largely peaceful across polling units, setting the stage for Yusuf Buhari’s participation in the 2027 general elections.

Buhari’s Son Wins APC Reps Ticket In Katsina Landslide Victory