Lagos politics took a decisive turn on Monday as Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu openly endorsed his deputy, Obafemi Hamzat, as the preferred candidate for the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship ticket ahead of the next election cycle, signalling a rare and tightly coordinated succession plan in the state’s modern political history.
The endorsement, made during a high-level consultation at the Lagos State House, immediately positioned Hamzat as the front-runner in a race that has yet to see any serious challenger emerge within the ruling party structure.
Sanwo-Olu did not mince words, describing his deputy as the most prepared candidate to continue what he called the “Greater Lagos” development agenda, stressing continuity, experience and internal party stability.
He pointed to their long-standing political relationship dating back to their years in the Lagos State cabinet under former Governor Bola Tinubu, noting that their working chemistry has shaped governance decisions over the past seven years.
According to him, Hamzat is not a ceremonial deputy but an active partner who has been deeply involved in policy formulation, governance delivery, and state-level coordination across ministries and agencies.
The governor also framed the endorsement as part of a broader succession culture within the APC in Lagos, arguing that stability in leadership transition is critical to sustaining ongoing infrastructure and economic reforms in the state.
Obafemi Hamzat, in his response, described his time as deputy governor as a period of deep administrative learning, insisting he was never sidelined in decision-making and was fully integrated into governance processes.
He credited Sanwo-Olu for building an inclusive leadership structure and said Lagos could not afford disruption at a time when the state remains central to Nigeria’s economic stability and urban development.
Hamzat also highlighted continuity as essential, warning that governance setbacks could emerge if leadership transitions are not carefully managed within the ruling party framework.
Political observers say the endorsement effectively reshapes the APC succession race in Lagos, where internal consensus has often played a decisive role in determining governorship candidates long before primaries are held.
While formal party approval is still required, the governor’s backing gives Hamzat a significant structural advantage heading into APC’s internal selection process.
