Lagos 2027: Hamzat Gains Massive Backing as APC Battles Over Running Mate

Lagos 2027: Hamzat Gains Massive Backing as APC Battles Over Running Mate

The political atmosphere ahead of the 2027 Lagos governorship election is becoming increasingly intense as Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, continues to gather strong endorsements from key stakeholders within and outside the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Hamzat’s governorship ambition received a fresh boost following public endorsements from labour unions, influential APC leaders, and top political figures in Lagos State, amid growing mobilisation across party structures ahead of the APC governorship primary.

The latest endorsement came during the 2026 Workers’ Day celebration held at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan, Lagos, where leaders of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) openly declared support for Hamzat’s candidacy.

Speaking during the event themed “Insecurity, Poverty: Bane of Decent Work,” Lagos NLC Chairperson, Funmi Sessi, described Hamzat as a loyal and experienced public servant capable of sustaining Lagos’ developmental agenda.

According to her, the deputy governor remains “competent, tested and trusted,” adding that his emergence as governor would guarantee continuity in infrastructure development and governance reforms initiated by previous administrations in the state.

Representing Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu at the event, Hamzat received loud cheers from workers and supporters as he toured the stadium before addressing the crowd.

The deputy governor appreciated the growing support for his ambition and assured Lagos residents that the state would witness improved development if elected governor in 2027.

“We will not let you down. The developmental trajectory will be improved upon in Lagos. Nobody is ready because the assignment is audacious. But what you have is experience. Having served as Deputy Governor of Lagos under Governor Sanwo-Olu, I’ve learned a lot. I know the room. I know where the kitchen is,” Hamzat said.

Hamzat’s political momentum had earlier increased following endorsements reportedly received from President Bola Tinubu, Governor Sanwo-Olu, and the influential Governance Advisory Council (GAC), regarded as the highest decision-making body within the Lagos APC.

Political sources disclosed that members of the GAC adopted Hamzat as the party’s preferred consensus governorship candidate after consultations involving major stakeholders in the Lagos APC.

The endorsement reportedly received further backing during meetings between Tinubu and Lagos APC leaders in Abuja, where discussions focused on the party’s succession plan ahead of 2027.

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Former Lagos PDP governorship candidate, Dr. Abdulazeez Adediran, popularly known as Jandor, also aligned with Hamzat’s camp after stepping down from the governorship contest to support the deputy governor’s ambition.

Several grassroots mobilisation groups have since intensified campaigns across Lagos communities, local government areas, and APC ward structures to rally support for Hamzat ahead of the party primaries.

In another major development, Hamzat successfully scaled through the APC governorship screening exercise held in Abuja, clearing the way for him to participate in the party’s forthcoming primary election.

Speaking after the screening, Hamzat explained that the exercise focused on verifying credentials and public service records submitted by aspirants seeking the APC governorship ticket.

“The essence of the screening is to ensure that everything submitted is accurate and verifiable. We submitted all required documents and the committee asked questions based on the information provided,” he stated.

Party insiders disclosed that Hamzat’s performance during the screening further strengthened confidence among APC stakeholders already backing his candidacy.

Despite the growing endorsements, fresh tension has reportedly emerged within the Lagos APC over the choice of Hamzat’s running mate.

Sources within the party revealed that the APC leadership initially considered the Lagos State Secretary to the State Government, Bimbola Salu-Hundeyin, from Badagry Division, for the deputy governorship position.

However, the move allegedly sparked resistance from political stakeholders, traditional rulers, and community leaders in Badagry, who argued that the division deserves the governorship slot rather than the deputy governorship seat.

Badagry leaders reportedly insisted that the area remains the only major division in Lagos yet to produce a state governor since the creation of Lagos State.

Following the backlash, APC leaders are said to be reviewing alternative options as consultations continue across various political blocs in the state.

Meanwhile, another controversy is brewing within the Lagos APC following allegations that former Osun State governor and ex-Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, is attempting to influence the party’s House of Representatives ticket in Oshodi-Isolo Constituency.

The APC Concerned Group in Oshodi-Isolo accused Aregbesola, who was expelled from the party, of sponsoring a preferred candidate against the wishes of party members in the constituency.

The group warned that such interference could trigger fresh internal divisions within the Lagos APC ahead of the 2027 general election.

Political observers believe the coming months may witness intense lobbying, strategic alliances, and renewed power struggles within the Lagos APC as the battle for succession gathers momentum.

Lagos 2027: Hamzat Gains Massive Backing as APC Battles Over Running Mate