Lagos 2027: Tinubu, Ambode’s endorsements brighten Hamzat’s chances amid APC’s internal dissent
The endorsement of Obafemi Hamzat by President Bola Tinubu and former governor Akinwunmi Ambode has further strengthened his position and brightened his chances in the race to succeed Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu in Lagos State.
The endorsement of Obafemi Hamzat by President Bola Tinubu and former governor Akinwunmi Ambode has further strengthened his position and brightened his chances in the race to succeed Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu in Lagos State. The endorsement has also enabled him to tighten his grip on the emerging succession battle within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The development is seen as a major political consolidation for Hamzat, who already enjoys strong backing within key party structures and chieftains.
Tinubu’s endorsement of Hazmat has all but sealed the gubernatorial ticket for Hazmat who few people expected to be in the governorship race, after serving as deputy to Sanwo-Olu for close to eight years.
In fact, he would be the first deputy to complete eight years and also take a shot at be governorship or occupy the governorship position in Lagos since the return to democracy in 1999.
Hamzat is respected within the party because of his years in government.
Seun Okeowo, a political analyst, told BusinessDay that Hazmat may be a good choice based on his antecedents as a two-time commissioner and deputy governor for eight years.
“People believe that experience counts… the odds favour him. He is being supported by most of the leaders and his chances are high. Lagosians would support someone like him as an accomplished public office holder that knows his onions,” the analyst noted.
Similarly, Ambode’s public support has added weight that there could be any contest on the primary election earlier in the month of May. It is clear that the power brokers in the ruling party want Hazmat as the preferred continuity candidate ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
In a significant twist, another prominent aspirant, Abdul-Azeez Adediran, popularly known as Jandor, has also thrown his support behind Hamzat, further narrowing the field of resistance within the party and strengthening the emerging alignment around the deputy governor’s candidacy.
Announcing his withdrawal from the 2027 gubernatorial race, Jandor cited the need to uphold party unity and align with its leadership direction.
He spoke at a press statement issued on Thursday, just days after confirming that he had procured the party’s Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms to contest in the election.
He explained that his initial decision to join the race was driven by consultations, conviction, and a desire to contribute to the development of Lagos State, noting that evolving political realities within the party necessitated a change in course.
According to him, the endorsement of Kadiri Hamzat by party leaders, including Bola Ahmed Tinubu, played a significant role in his decision to step down from the contest.
Jandor stressed that his withdrawal was not due to a lack of capacity but rather a deliberate move rooted in discipline, strength, and respect for party cohesion, He reaffirmed his loyalty to the APC and pledged continued support for its leadership at both the state and national levels.
He also reiterated his allegiance to President Tinubu, describing his leadership as central to the stability and progress of both the party and the country.
Addressing members of the Lagos4Lagos Movement, Jandor expressed appreciation for their support.
With these endorsements, opposition within the APC primary race now appears largely isolated to a single dissenting voice.
Samuel Ajose remains the only known aspirant openly challenging the growing consensus, insisting that the party must not foreclose internal democracy or sideline a competitive primary process.
Speaking in an interview shortly after Governor Sanwo-Olu endorsed Hazmat, Ajose faulted efforts by chieftains of the party to settle for a consensus candidate ahead of the 2027 election, insisting that such a move cannot stand unless all aspirants agree to it.
He accused Hamzat of deliberately avoiding and afraid of primary election.
He explained that the idea of consensus requires full agreement from everyone contesting, noting that no aspirant should be forced into stepping down.
According to him, the push for a single candidate raises concerns about fear of open competition, adding that anyone with strong support should be ready to face party members during primaries.
Ajose maintained that the party’s rules provide for primary elections, where all contestants can test their popularity. He said the process would give members the chance to decide who truly has the backing of the grassroots.
He also stated that many residents are no longer satisfied with how the state is being governed and are expecting a new direction. He expressed confidence that the outcome of a proper primary would reflect the will of party members across the state.
Ajose added that no official meeting involving all aspirants had been held to decide on consensus, stressing that such a decision would require full participation.
He said that if consensus were to be considered, the President would normally call all aspirants together to reach a joint decision.
He said: “We understand what consensus means. Consensus says that every aspirant who has picked the party and nomination form must consent to it. We don’t know why Hamzat is scared of going into the primaries. If you are big, you have the popularity, the networks and the grassroots support, then let’s go into the primaries.
“Why is everybody scared of the primaries? Everybody must go into the primaries; that is what the constitution says. We are all going to meet in the primaries and let everybody come in to test their strength.
“We will see the results in the next few weeks. The masses are tired of how Lagos is being run. The masses are tired of the leadership in Lagos, and they want something new.
” I don’t think our president, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is giving in to what they are doing. What they are just trying to do is to coerce him into taking a decision, and I don’t think that decision will stand.”
Hazmat’s endorsement happened despite the APC Lagos State chairman, Cornelius Ojelabi’s earlier pledge that the party would conduct primary for the position, including other positions.
Speaking on the issue, a political analyst, Seun Okeowo said the party should respect the rights of other aspirants, even when they have settled for Hamzat.
He noted that politics was about dialogue and bargaining, stressing that the state APC leadership should have dialogue and seek the support of other aspirants to avoid internal rift.
“Hamzat can’t win the election alone, he needs others to work for him, is it because they can always manipulate elections in Lagos. That why that are arrogant about it, if there was opposition they would respect everyone.
