President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday, displayed his official backing for Lagos State Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat as the All Progressives Congress consensus candidate for the 2027 Lagos governorship election.
The endorsement was made at the Presidential Villa, Abuja on Wednesday, following the earlier unanimous adoption of Hamzat by the Governance Advisory Council — the highest decision-making body of the APC in Lagos — at a meeting in Lagos House, Marina.
Speaking after the meeting, Hamzat confirmed that the GAC delegation had presented him to the President, who subsequently gave his blessing.
“These are fathers, they are leaders, they’ve seen a lot of Christmases, they’ve seen a lot of Eid El Kabir, so they have experience, and therefore I’m really, really excited that they brought me here to meet Mr President, and Mr President has blessed us and blessed the decision of GAC,” he said.
In a statement issued shortly after, Hamzat described the endorsement as a weight of responsibility he was ready to carry. “I am fully aware of the responsibility it carries. I am enthusiastic and looking forward to continuing on the good work and the foundation the President has laid in Lagos State,” he said, adding that the state remained “an ongoing project” and that there was “still a lot of work ahead.”
On his readiness for the governorship, Hamzat said the assignment was audacious but expressed confidence that his tenure as deputy governor had adequately prepared him. “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,” he said.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu had earlier endorsed his deputy as successor, describing him as competent and deeply familiar with the workings of government.
GAC chairman Tajudeen Olusi also noted that the consensus decision was intended to guide the party’s direction, while stressing that the APC would still conduct its official primaries in line with established guidelines.
