Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has officially endorsed his deputy, Obafemi Hamzat, as his preferred successor in the 2027 Lagos governorship race.
The endorsement was announced on Monday, April 27, 2026, at the Lagos House in Marina.
Pan-Atlantic Kompass reports also that the announcement came following a closed-door meeting attended by key party stakeholders, including members of the Governor’s Advisory Council.
By publicly backing his deputy, Sanwo-Olu has effectively streamlined the 2027 Lagos governorship race within the APC, positioning Hamzat as a frontrunner for the party’s ticket.
During the event, the Governor praised Hamzat’s loyalty and technical expertise, describing him as a man who is “fit and well-prepared” to lead the state into its next phase of development.
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.
