The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has endorsed his deputy, Kadri Hamzat, as the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for the 2027 governorship election in the state.
Sanwo-Olu made the endorsement at Lagos House, Marina, in the presence of members of the State Executive Council and party leaders.
Also in attendance were all 57 local government chairmen, as well as chairmen of the local council development areas.
The governor stated that Hamzat possesses the competence to lead the state, citing his extensive experience and deep understanding of Lagos politics.
“And at the end of the day, with the consultation that we’re doing, and it was unanimous with all of us in that room to say that the deputy governor is a man who’s fit, ready.
“He’s been well baked. He’s been well manicured. He’s been well ‘pepperonied’ for this job,” the governor added.
Hamzat has been engaging in consultations with key stakeholders within the ruling party ahead of the 2027 governorship contest in Lagos State.
On Sunday, he met with Femi Gbajabiamila, Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, as part of these consultations.
Those present at the meeting included the Secretary of the Governors’ Advisory Council, Muti Are; Senator Ganiyu Olanrewaju Solomon; Bode Oyedele; Senator Musiliu Obanikoro; Adekunle Olayinka; and the Chairman of the Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board, Hakeem Shittu, among others.
Obanikoro, who led the discussions, explained that the delegation sought Gbajabiamila’s backing for Hamzat’s ambition.
He noted that the deputy governor is well-versed in Lagos politics and requires the support of APC leaders to secure victory in the governorship race.
In his remarks, Hamzat emphasised that Nigeria must succeed and expressed confidence that the APC would win elections at both federal and state levels.
He described the party as well organised and stressed the importance of maintaining its leadership structure, which informed his visit to the chief of staff.
Hamzat also noted that the economic stability achieved under President Tinubu should be sustained, stressing the need for the party to carefully select its governorship candidate to preserve governance continuity in Lagos State.
“We discussed the direction of our state and the work required to move it forward.
“It remains our shared responsibility to strengthen Lagos and continue delivering better outcomes for our people. I am focused and clear about the work ahead,” the deputy governor wrote on his X account.