The race for the 2027 Lagos governorship election has taken a decisive turn as Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu publicly endorsed his deputy, Kadri Hamzat, as the preferred candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), effectively narrowing the path for any potential return bid by former governor Akinwunmi Ambode.
Sanwo-Olu made the declaration at Lagos House, Marina, in the presence of members of the state executive council, APC leaders, and chairmen from the state’s 57 local governments and local council development areas. The endorsement followed what the governor described as broad-based consultations within the party, culminating in a unanimous position in support of Hamzat.
According to the governor, his deputy possesses the experience and institutional knowledge required to lead Lagos, having served in key roles across successive administrations. He emphasized that Hamzat is fully prepared for the responsibility, describing him as tested and ready for the demands of governance.
The endorsement comes amid intensified political consultations ahead of the 2027 election. Hamzat has in recent weeks engaged key stakeholders within the APC, including a high-level meeting with Femi Gbajabiamila. The meeting was attended by prominent party figures such as Musiliu Obanikoro, Ganiyu Solomon, and other influential stakeholders.
During the meeting, Obanikoro led discussions in support of Hamzat’s candidacy, highlighting his deep roots in Lagos politics and calling for unified backing from party leaders to secure victory in the forthcoming election.
In his remarks, Hamzat stressed the importance of political stability and continuity, noting that the progress recorded under Bola Tinubu must be sustained. He described the APC as a structured political platform whose internal cohesion would be critical in determining electoral success at both state and federal levels.
He further underscored the need for careful selection of the party’s governorship candidate to maintain Lagos State’s governance trajectory, adding that strengthening the state’s development agenda remains a shared responsibility among party stakeholders.
With Sanwo-Olu’s endorsement now on record, the political landscape within the Lagos APC appears to be consolidating around Hamzat, signaling an early alignment that could shape the dynamics of the 2027 governorship race.