Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has recounted how his deputy, Dr Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, stepped down from his governorship ambition in 2018 following an appeal by leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC), paving the way for his emergence as the party’s candidate ahead of the 2019 governorship election.
Sanwo-Olu described Hamzat’s decision as a remarkable demonstration of political maturity, loyalty and selflessness, insisting that he has never forgotten the sacrifice made by his deputy.
The governor spoke on Friday, October 30, 2026, at the unveiling of Hamzat’s governorship manifesto at the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts, formerly the National Theatre, Iganmu, Lagos.
Speaking as Special Guest of Honour at the event, Sanwo-Olu used the occasion to publicly endorse Hamzat, the APC governorship candidate for the 2027 election, describing him as a trusted partner, experienced administrator and a worthy successor capable of sustaining Lagos State’s development trajectory.
Recounting the political developments that preceded the 2019 governorship election, Sanwo-Olu said Hamzat had been a serious contender for the APC ticket in 2018, having built a formidable record in public service under former governors Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Babatunde Fashola.
According to him, Hamzat had every reason to pursue his governorship ambition and possessed the experience, political support and administrative credentials to make a strong case for himself.
However, the political equation changed when influential leaders of the party appealed to him to step aside in favour of Sanwo-Olu.
“In September 2018, Femi Hamzat wanted to be Governor of Lagos State. He had earned the right to want it. He had been in public service for thirteen years by then, under Asiwaju and under Fashola, and he had the record, the mind and the support to make his case. He was in the race, and he was in it to win,” Sanwo-Olu recalled.
He added: “Then the leaders of our party asked him to step aside. For me.”
The governor said Hamzat accepted the decision, shook his hand and, about five weeks later, agreed to become his running mate.
Sanwo-Olu admitted that the gesture was one he had continued to appreciate, noting that putting aside a personal political ambition at the request of party leaders was not an easy decision.
He said: “I have thought about what it costs a man to put down the thing he wants most, in public, at the request of people he respects, for the benefit of someone else.
“Many men would have done it and nursed the wound. Some would have done it and plotted. Femi Hamzat did it, shook my hand, and five weeks later agreed to run beside me.”
The governor said his endorsement of Hamzat was not merely a political obligation or an expression of party loyalty but a position informed by seven years of working closely with him.
According to Sanwo-Olu, their relationship has been built on mutual trust, cooperation and a shared commitment to the development of Lagos, unlike situations in some states where governors and their deputies have become political rivals.
He maintained that Hamzat had remained dependable throughout their administration, particularly during periods of serious national and state challenges.
“In seven years, there has not been one day, not one, when I had to wonder whose side my deputy was on,” he declared.
He added that the stability enjoyed by their administration was not accidental but a reflection of Hamzat’s character and commitment to collective leadership.
“In Lagos, there has been one government, one direction, and one voice. That did not happen by accident. It happened because of who he is,” Sanwo-Olu said.
The governor cited the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the October 2020 crisis and the implementation of major infrastructure projects as some of the defining moments in which Hamzat played important roles.
He recalled that when Nigeria recorded its first COVID-19 case in Lagos and the government was confronted with the challenge of managing a public health emergency in Africa’s largest city, Hamzat was actively involved in the administration’s deliberations and response.
He also referenced the October 2020 unrest, describing it as one of the darkest periods of their administration, and said his deputy remained part of the government’s decision-making process.
On infrastructure, Sanwo-Olu credited Hamzat with contributing to the planning and execution of major projects, including the Lagos Blue Line and Red Line rail services and the Lekki Deep Sea Port.
He explained that Hamzat’s contributions went beyond attending official ceremonies, as he was involved in technical discussions, project planning, engagements with contractors and other critical aspects of governance.
Sanwo-Olu also highlighted Hamzat’s extensive background in Lagos public administration, tracing his involvement in government to 2005, when he served as Commissioner for Science and Technology under Tinubu.
He subsequently served as Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure under Fashola, participating in major infrastructure initiatives, including the Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge.
The governor said Hamzat’s experience across successive administrations had given him an understanding of Lagos’ governance structure, institutional framework and development priorities.
Using a relay race as an analogy, Sanwo-Olu argued that leadership succession should involve handing over responsibility to someone who understands the journey and is adequately prepared to continue it.
He traced the succession of governors in Lagos from Tinubu to Fashola, Akinwunmi Ambode and himself, noting that successive administrations had benefited from individuals who were already familiar with the state’s governance system before assuming the governorship.
He argued that Hamzat’s experience as commissioner under two former governors and deputy governor for seven years placed him in a particularly strong position to sustain ongoing programmes and projects.
Sanwo-Olu therefore urged Lagos residents not to regard the 2027 election as an opportunity for an experiment in leadership, stressing the importance of continuity, experience and consolidation.
He also described a peaceful transition of power as one of the most important legacies an outgoing governor could leave behind.
According to him, Lagos should be able to change governors without political disagreements or institutional disruption.
The governor urged Hamzat and his running mate, Princess Damilola Sonayon-James, to maintain close engagement with residents, complete ongoing projects and build on the achievements of previous administrations.
