𝐀𝐦𝐛𝐨𝐝𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐇𝐚𝐦𝐳𝐚𝐭, 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐓𝐨𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐓𝐢𝐧𝐮𝐛𝐮

By Peter Dansu  Former Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, has congratulated Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat on his emergence as the All ...

By Peter Dansu 

Former Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, has congratulated Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat on his emergence as the All Progressives Congress consensus governorship candidate for the 2027 Lagos governorship election, describing the development as well deserved and a reflection of loyalty and dedication to the party.

Ambode, in a statement issued on Thursday, praised Hamzat for what he called deliberate and purposeful consultations with party leaders and members across the state, saying the deputy governor had consistently demonstrated commitment to the ideals of unity and progress championed by the APC.

According to the former governor, Hamzat’s adoption by the party leadership was proof of his longstanding service and contribution to the growth of the ruling party in Lagos.

“Your deliberate and purposeful consultations with the party hierarchy and all members of the party have demonstrated you are a true party man committed to the party’s ideals and values of unity and progress,” Ambode said.

“Your adoption as our party’s consensus candidate is a reflection of your loyalty, hard work and dedication to the party for over two decades. I am sure that our state will benefit immensely from your wealth of experience and skills in governance.”

Ambode also reaffirmed his support for the re-election bid of President Bola Tinubu, insisting that the continued prosperity of Lagos State and Nigeria remained tied to the President’s leadership and economic vision.

He pledged to mobilise massive support for the APC at both the state and federal levels ahead of the 2027 general elections, while setting an ambitious target of three million votes for Tinubu in Lagos.

“I strongly believe that the greater prosperity of Lagos and indeed Nigeria is firmly tied to the continued governance of Mr. President,” he stated.

“I am confident that Mr. President’s vision and aspirations for our nation will yield bountiful returns and put us on the path of growth and prosperity.”

The former governor further charged party members to work towards ensuring victory for all APC candidates in the National Assembly elections.

“As Lagos APC, our mission should be to deliver at least three million votes for Mr. President and support other states in the South-West to deliver great results. We must return all our party-nominated senators and representatives to the National Assembly,” he added.

Hamzat’s emergence as consensus candidate followed a series of endorsements within the Lagos APC in recent days.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu had publicly endorsed Hamzat earlier in the week as his preferred successor, a move that further strengthened support for the deputy governor within party circles.

The Governance Advisory Council, the highest decision-making body of the Lagos APC led by Prince Tajudeen Olusi, subsequently adopted Hamzat unanimously during a meeting at Lagos House, Marina. The council also approved the purchase of his N50 million nomination form.

A delegation of the GAC later presented Hamzat to President Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, where the President was said to have endorsed the council’s decision.

Speaking after the meeting, Hamzat acknowledged the enormity of the responsibility ahead but expressed confidence in his experience and preparedness.

“Nobody is ready because the assignment is audacious. But what you have is experience. Having served as Deputy Governor of Lagos under Governor Sanwo-Olu, I’ve learned a lot. I know the room. I know where the kitchen is,” he said.

Despite the consensus arrangement, party leaders maintained that the APC would still conduct governorship primaries in line with constitutional guidelines and party procedures.

Hamzat, 59, has served as deputy governor of Lagos State since 2019 and previously held office as Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure during the Ambode administration.