By Dapo Akinrefon & Olasunkanmi Akoni, LAGOS

The Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Obafemi Hamzat, has promised to serve Lagosians “with integrity, focus and a clear sense of purpose” when elected governor in the 2027 elections.

Read Also: Video: ‘He’s fit, prepared’ – Sanwo-Olu endorses Hamzat for 2027 Lagos governorship

Hamzat made the promise in a post on X (Twitter) after he was endorsed by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and other party leaders in the state, yesterday.

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.”

However, another aspirant, Gbenga ‘Jandor’ Ogunleye, said no decision had been taken on who would be the party’s candidate.

Obasa

Meanwhile, barring any last-minute changes, Speaker of the House of Assembly, Mr Mudashiru Obasa, is set to contest for the House of Representatives seat for Agege Federal Constituency ahead of the 2027 general elections, shifting from an initial governorship bid.

This came on a day when Governor Sanwo-Olu and members of the State Executive Council endorsed Hamzat as the consensus candidate for the 2027 governorship race.

Obasa, who had nursed aspirations to succeed Governor Sanwo-Olu, reportedly intensified statewide political consultations through the revival of the Mandate Group, a legacy political structure associated with President Bola Tinubu. 

The move, Vanguard gathered, was aimed at consolidating support among both old and new loyalists of the President, while positioning himself as a formidable contender for the governorship.

However, sources within the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Lagos said Mr Obasa took a decisive turn when President Tinubu, in consultation with the Governance Advisory Council, GAC, settled for Deputy Governor, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, as the preferred governorship candidate.

Senator Idiat Adebule

Following this development, it was gathered that Obasa was said to have redirected his focus to the Lagos West Senatorial District, with plans to challenge the incumbent Senator and former deputy governor, Senator Idiat Adebule. 

“His interest gained traction amid internal party considerations to field the Speaker as the APC’s senatorial candidate for the district”, APC sources disclosed.

The move, however, met resistance from the APC’s national leadership and its women’s wing, who mounted sustained pressure for Adebule’s retention. 

Party stakeholders argued that she remains the only female Senator from the South-West geopolitical zone, making her “candidacy critical to gender representation in the National Assembly.”

It was further gathered that in response, President Tinubu was said to have “advised Obasa to pursue a seat in the House of Representatives instead.” 

Sources, within the APC fold, said: “He was specifically directed to contest for the Agege Federal Constituency currently represented by first-term lawmaker, Dr Wale Ahmed.”

Sources further hinted that Obasa has since “begun quiet mobilisation efforts within Agege, rallying grassroots support for his new political objective. This development marks a significant shift, particularly as the Speaker had previously endorsed Mr Egunjobi for the same seat before the latest realignment.”

In addition, multiple sources disclosed that Obasa’s “strategic repositioning” underscores the fluid nature of Lagos APC politics as the 2027 elections approach, with party cohesion and leadership directives continues to shape the ambitions of key actors.

Sanwo-Olu, excos endorse dep gov

Meanwhile, the support base of the Deputy Governor grew as Governor Sanwo-Olu and members of the State Executive Council threw their weight behind Obafemi Hamzat.

The decision was arrived at a high-level meeting held in Lagos House, Marina.

The endorsement came after Hamzat formally declared his intention to contest the state’s top seat during a closed-door session attended by members of the state executive council and key political figures.

Among those present were members of the GAC, including Senators Musiliu Obanikoro and Ganiyu Solomon, alongside other party leaders.

Addressing journalists after the meeting, Sanwo-Olu described Hamzat as a capable and experienced leader who has earned the confidence of the administration after serving as deputy governor for seven years.

He said: “We just received Mr Deputy, who came with a strong delegation of leaders to formally inform us of his intention to contest.

“It was unanimous among us that the deputy governor is fit and well-prepared for this role. He understands the workings of government and has demonstrated integrity, loyalty and commitment at the highest level.”

Sanwo-Olu added that Hamzat’s experience within the administration positions him as a ready successor, noting that his contributions to governance have been significant.

“This is a deputy governor who is already governor material from day one. He has been built for this responsibility, and I believe he deserves the opportunity to lead Lagos at this point,” he said.

I’ll serve Lagosians with integrity — Hamzat

In an appreciation post on his X page, Hamzat said Sanwo-Olu’s endorsement means “a great deal” to him.

The deputy governor wrote: “I am honoured by the endorsement of my Governor, my brother and my friend, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

“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.

“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.”

No formal decision has been taken — Jandor

However, Abdul-Azeez Adediran, popularly known as Jandor, a former governorship candidate, had earlier dismissed claims that the party had settled for a preferred aspirant.

In a statement issued through his spokesperson, Gbenga Ogunleye, Jandor said no formal decision had been taken by the party leadership.

He added, however, that he would align with the outcome if the party eventually adopts a consensus candidate for the race.

Vanguard News