Lagos state governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Monday announced the endorsement of his deputy, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, as his preferred successor for the 2027 governorship election in the state.
Sanwo-Olu’s endorsement of his deputy is coming days after the governor of Ogun state, Dapo Abiodun announced the adoption of the senator representing Ogun West senatorial district, Solomon Adeola, popularly called Yayi, as the governorship candidate for the 2027 general elections.
The decision to field the lawmaker as the party’s governorship candidate was announced at a state strategic caucus meeting presided over by the state chairman of the party, Yemi Sanusi, and held at the party secretariat in Abeokuta.
A similar decision was taken penultimate week by Nasarawa state governor, Engr Abdullahi Sule with the endorsement of Senator Ahmed Wadada as his preferred candidate for the governorship of the state.
Sanwo-Olu’s backing
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s announcement followed a closed-door meeting at Lagos House, Marina, where Hamzat formally declared his intention to contest the governorship seat before members of the State Executive Council and key party leaders.
Also present at the meeting were members of the Governor’s Advisory Council, including former Minister of State for Defence, Musiliu Obanikoro, and Ganiyu Solomon, among others.
Addressing journalists after the meeting, Sanwo-Olu described the endorsement as a unanimous decision reached by stakeholders present. He described Hamzat as prepared and capable of leading 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 highlighted Hamzat’s experience and working relationship with him over the past seven years, noting his “integrity, loyalty, commitment, and support” as defining qualities.
“He is a man who has worked with me at the highest level of integrity, loyalty, commitment, support, and so I feel personally honoured and privileged that he has given me this honour to inform me,” he said.
The governor thanked President Bola, 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.
Describing Hamzat as ready for leadership, Sanwo-Olu 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 further characterised the meeting as a consultative process involving party leaders and government officials, noting that the endorsement followed broad 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.
