April 27, (THEWILL) — Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Monday, endorsed his deputy, Obafemi Hamzat, for the 2027 governorship election, as key stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos continue to rally support around his candidacy.
THEWILL reports that the endorsement took place at Lagos House, Marina, during a closed-door meeting with members of the State Executive Council and party leaders, shortly after Hamzat formally declared his intention to contest for the state’s top office.
A video from the meeting, which has since gone viral, captured the moment Sanwo-Olu lifted Hamzat’s hand after offering prayers for him.
Speaking with journalists after the meeting, the governor said the decision to back Hamzat was unanimous among stakeholders present.
“We just received Mr Deputy, who came with a very powerful delegation of our leaders in the state to inform us of his intention to contest for the governorship. It was unanimous among us to say that the Deputy Governor is fit and well-prepared for this job. He understands the system and has demonstrated integrity, loyalty, commitment and support”, Sanwo-Olu said.
The Governor, who has worked closely with Hamzat since assuming office in 2019, described him as a seasoned administrator with deep knowledge of governance in Lagos.
“He is a man who knows where all the rooms in the house are”, the governor added, underscoring Hamzat’s familiarity with the workings of government.
Monday’s development comes amid a wave of endorsements for Hamzat from influential political figures across Lagos and beyond. Among those who have publicly backed his aspiration are Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa; Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila; Senator representing Lagos East, Tokunbo Abiru; and former Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun.
The growing list of endorsements follows a series of consultative visits by Hamzat to party leaders, community stakeholders and political groups across the state, moves widely seen as part of early groundwork for the 2027 election.
Hamzat, a technocrat and former commissioner, has served as deputy governor since 2019 and is regarded as a key figure in policy coordination within the current administration.
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