Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, the current Deputy Governor of Lagos State, appears to be gaining significant institutional backing for his 2027 governorship bid. His political journey has come full circle, from stepping aside for the current Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, in 2019 to receiving his principal's backing seven years later. This development has sparked a succession story marked by endorsements from various stakeholders.
In April 2026, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu publicly endorsed Hamzat for the 2027 governorship. The Governance Advisory Council, a leadership body within the Lagos APC, subsequently adopted Hamzat as its consensus aspirant. This was followed by President Bola Tinubu's endorsement on April 29. Former Governor Akinwunmi Ambode also declared his support for Hamzat, further solidifying his position.
Hamzat has since submitted his nomination forms, passed the party's screening, and emerged as the APC's governorship candidate at its May 21 primary. According to the result announced by the party, he polled 657,917 votes out of 657,974 accredited voters. His rival, Lanre Jim-Kamal, recorded only one vote. Samuel Ajose had withdrawn from the contest before the primary.
The developments demonstrate the rapid growth of institutional and political support for Hamzat within the governing party. However, it is unclear whether every Lagosian has accepted his candidacy. The process has provided a documented picture of growing support, alongside continuing efforts to engage wider constituencies.
Hamzat's political journey is being viewed against a specific historical backdrop. Since Nigeria's return to democratic rule in 1999, no Lagos Deputy Governor has directly succeeded the Governor under whom they served. The office has been occupied by several individuals, but none have moved directly from the deputy governorship to the governorship.
Hamzat has already broken one important pattern. His re-election alongside Sanwo-Olu in 2023 made him the first Lagos Deputy Governor of the Fourth Republic to secure two full terms in office. If he completes the current tenure in 2027, he will have served eight consecutive years as deputy governor, a distinction no previous Lagos deputy governor has achieved since 1999.
Hamzat's longevity in office gives the present succession debate an unusual dimension. He is not approaching the governorship from outside the administration or after a brief spell as deputy. He is attempting to move directly from the second-highest office in the state into the first, after serving across three administrations and spending years within the machinery of government.
Key points
- Dr. Obafemi Hamzat gains institutional backing for 2027 Lagos governorship bid
- Hamzat emerges as APC's governorship candidate with 657,917 votes
- Hamzat attempts to break historical pattern of no direct succession from deputy to governor in Lagos State
