Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and the entire Lagos State Executive Council have thrown their weight behind Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat as their consensus candidate for the governorship position, setting the stage for a major political realignment ahead of the next election cycle.
The endorsement was announced on Monday following a high-level Executive Council meeting, where cabinet members reportedly expressed overwhelming confidence in Hamzat’s leadership capacity, administrative experience, and vision for continuity.
Speaking on the decision, Sanwo-Olu described Hamzat as a loyal partner in governance whose contributions to policy formulation and implementation have been instrumental to the administration’s achievements.
“His trust means a great deal to me. We’ve worked side by side in the service of Lagos State, and I don’t take this vote of confidence lightly,” the governor said.
Hours after the endorsement, Hamzat took to his Facebook page to express gratitude.
“Today, I am honoured by the endorsement of my Governor, my brother and my friend, HE Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu,” he wrote.
“I remain committed to building on the progress we’ve made together, and look forward to serving Lagosians with integrity, focus and a clear sense of purpose.”
Hamzat, who has yet to formally declare his intention to run, is now widely seen as the frontrunner within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State.
Members of the Executive Council aligned fully with the governor’s position, citing Hamzat’s deep understanding of Lagos’ developmental priorities and his track record in public service as key reasons for their collective endorsement.
The move is expected to significantly shape political alignments within the APC, where several aspirants have been quietly intensifying efforts to secure the party’s ticket.
Political observers note that the development may trigger fresh realignments within the party, as other hopefuls weigh their options in the face of growing consensus around the deputy governor.
While the endorsement is not a formal party nomination, it carries substantial weight given the governor’s influence over APC structure and stakeholders in the state.
Hamzat, a former Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, has served as deputy governor since 2019. If he secures the APC ticket and wins the general election, he would succeed Sanwo-Olu, who is completing his second and final term.
