By Peter Dansu Fresh political tension is building within the Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress as supporters of former ...
By Peter Dansu
Fresh political tension is building within the Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress as supporters of former Governor Akinwunmi Ambode and Deputy Governor Kadri Obafemi Hamzat both claimed victory after the leadership of the Governance Advisory Council met with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Though no official statement was issued after the closed-door meeting, both camps have interpreted developments around it as a sign that their preferred aspirant has secured the backing of key party leaders ahead of the 2027 governorship race.
The GAC delegation to the meeting was led by the council’s chairman, Prince Tajudeen Olusi. Also present was the Lagos APC Chairman, Cornelius Ojelabi, further fuelling speculation that discussions may have centred on the party’s succession plan for Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, whose second and final term ends next year.
Soon after the meeting, supporters of Ambode began celebrating what they described as a positive signal for the former governor’s political comeback. Ambode, who governed Lagos between 2015 and 2019, has remained one of the strongest contenders for the APC ticket despite his inability to secure a second term in 2019.
At the same time, the camp of Deputy Governor Hamzat also moved swiftly to project confidence, especially after a public declaration by James Faleke, the lawmaker representing Ikeja Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives.
In a Facebook post, Faleke openly urged party loyalists across Lagos to support Hamzat’s ambition.
“Good evening all. As we prepare for party primaries next month, I urge all our supporters in Ikeja Federal Constituency and Lagos State to support Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat as the next Governor of Lagos State from 2027 to 2035 IJN. Amen!” he wrote.
Faleke’s statement is being seen by political observers as one of the clearest public endorsements so far in the emerging contest for the APC governorship ticket.
Hamzat, who is serving his second term as deputy governor, has long been viewed as a likely successor within the ruling party. His supporters argue that his years in government and closeness to the current administration place him in a strong position.
On the other hand, Ambode’s camp believes the former governor still enjoys considerable goodwill among party members and residents who continue to praise his record in office.
With party primaries expected in the coming months, the struggle between both camps appears set to intensify as each side seeks to convince party leaders and grassroots supporters that it has the stronger claim to the future of Lagos politics.
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