Sanwo-Olu backs Hazmat for Lagos governor

Ebun Emmanuel –April 27,2026

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State has thrown his weight behind his deputy, Obafemi Hamzat, as preferred candidate for the 2027 governorship election under the All Progressives Congress.

The announcement followed a high-level consultative meeting held behind closed doors at Lagos House, Marina, where Hamzat formally presented his intention to contest the state’s top job before members of the State Executive Council and key leaders of the ruling party.

Also in attendance were influential members of the Governor’s Advisory Council, including Musiliu Obanikoro and Ganiyu Solomon, among others.

Addressing journalists after the meeting, Sanwo-Olu described the endorsement as the outcome of broad-based consultations and consensus among stakeholders.

“We just received Mr Deputy Governor, 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.

“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 said.

The governor underscored Hamzat’s experience in governance, pointing to their close working relationship over the past seven years as a strong foundation for continuity and stability in leadership.

“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.

Describing Hamzat as a ready-made leader, Sanwo-Olu expressed strong confidence in his deputy’s ability to take on the responsibilities of governing the state.

“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 stated.

The governor also acknowledged the role of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in shaping the political trajectory that brought both men into leadership.

“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.

He characterised the meeting as a family-style engagement that reflected unity within the party and alignment across key stakeholders.

Among key figures who have publicly backed his bid are the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, Senator Tokunbo Abiru, and former Finance Minister Wale Edun.