BENJAMIN OMOIKE
LAGOS, Nigeria – Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu and members of the state executive have endorsed the deputy governor, Dr. Kadiri Obafemi Hamzat to be the next governor of the state.
Governor Sanwo-Olu gave the endorsement announcement on Monday afternoon at Lagos House, Marina, after a closed door meeting with Hamzat, who paid him and the cabinet members a visit to make his intention to contest the 2027 governorship election known.
At the meeting were members of the Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC), Senators Musiliu Obanikoro, Ganiyu Olanrewaju Solomon (GOS), and others.
Addressing journalists, the governor described Hamzat as a man fit to take over from him in 2027 having been his deputy in the last seven years, and one who has distinguished himself.
“We just received Mr. Deputy, who had come with a very powerful delegation of our leaders in the state. You can see all of them, some GAC members, some former senators, former ministers to inform us of his intention to contest for the governorship position of the state.
“It was unanimous with all of us to say that Mr Deputy Governor is a man that is fit and well-prepared for this job. He is a man that knows where all the rooms in the house are.
“He is a man that has worked with me, with all sense of humility, at the highest level of integrity, loyalty, commitment, support, and so I feel personally, on behalf of my wife and everything that I stand for, truly really honoured and privileged that he has given me this honor to inform me and to use the opportunity to thank our father, our leader, Mr. President, who saw the vision 30 years ago to say that Mr. Governor, Mr. Deputy, both of you, I see you on the long run and that long run is what is already being manifested here today.
“This is a deputy governor that is worth a governor from day one. We thank God that he’s taking the hard leadership now.
“I can only pray for him, wish him well, and let the Lagosians be aware that indeed this is a man that has been built for this job and believe that he deserves to be given a chance to go and run this state and lead this state at this point in time,” Sanwo-Olu stated.
According to the governor, the decision followed extensive consultations among cabinet members and key stakeholders, who reportedly expressed confidence in Hamzat’s leadership capacity, administrative experience, and continuity agenda.
He further described Hamzat as a loyal partner in governance, noting that his contributions to policy formulation and implementation have been instrumental to the achievements recorded by the administration.
Members of the Executive Council also aligned with the governor’s position, citing Hamzat’s deep understanding of Lagos’ developmental priorities and his track record in public service as reasons for their collective endorsement.
The move is expected to shape political alignments within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos, where aspirants have been intensifying efforts to secure the party’s ticket ahead of the forthcoming elections.
While Hamzat has yet to formally declare his intention to run, the endorsement by the governor and the State Executive Council is seen as a major boost that could influence party dynamics and consultations in the months ahead.
Political observers note that the development may trigger fresh realignments within the party, as other aspirants weigh their options in the face of growing consensus around the deputy governor.
