By Peter Dansu The race for the 2027 Lagos governorship ticket of the All Progressives Congress has gathered fresh momentum following a str...
By Peter Dansu
The race for the 2027 Lagos governorship ticket of the All Progressives Congress has gathered fresh momentum following a strategic meeting between Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Kadiri Hamzat, and leaders of The Mandate Movement led by Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa.
The high-level political meeting was held at Obasa’s Ikeja GRA residence and has further strengthened indications that Hamzat remains the preferred choice of major power blocs within the Lagos APC ahead of the party’s governorship primary election.
Sharing details of the meeting on Facebook, the Speaker openly described Hamzat as “my egbon” while expressing confidence in his emergence as the next governor of Lagos State.
“I hosted my egbon, the Deputy Governor and, In Shaa Allah, the incoming Governor of our dear Lagos State, Dr. Kadiri Obafemi Hamzat, at my Ikeja GRA residence today for a meeting with members of The Mandate Movement,” Obasa wrote.
The Mandate Movement is regarded as one of the most influential political blocs within the Lagos APC and has historically played a major role in determining the direction of the party during major elections. The group is also considered a strong rival of the Justice Forum, another dominant APC caucus to which Hamzat is politically affiliated.
Political observers believe the latest endorsement from Obasa and The Mandate Movement further consolidates Hamzat’s growing support base across the state’s political structure.
Hamzat’s governorship ambition has already received backing from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, members of the Governance Advisory Council, and several influential stakeholders within the ruling party.
The Deputy Governor’s camp has continued to gain momentum in recent weeks, especially after former Governor Akinwunmi Ambode and former PDP governorship candidate Abdul-Azeez Olajide Adediran popularly known as Jandor reportedly stepped down from the race to support his aspiration.
Despite the wave of endorsements, the contest may still head for a competitive APC primary as Badagry-born businessman and governorship hopeful, Dr. Samuel Mawuyon Ajose, has insisted he will not withdraw from the race.
Ajose, who has continued consultations across the 57 local government and local council development areas in Lagos, maintains that his growing grassroots popularity gives him a strong chance at the primaries regardless of the establishment backing enjoyed by Hamzat.
With internal consultations intensifying across various APC blocs, political analysts say the coming weeks could determine whether the party settles for a consensus arrangement or proceeds to a full-scale governorship primary election.
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