Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has shared how his deputy, Obafemi Hamzat, stepped down from his governorship ambition in 2018 to support Sanwo-Olu's emergence as the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate. Sanwo-Olu described Hamzat's decision as an act of selflessness, loyalty, and commitment to the development of Lagos State. This was disclosed in a message posted on Sanwo-Olu's X account on Friday, reflecting on their seven years of working together in government.
According to Sanwo-Olu, Hamzat had spent 13 years in public service under former Lagos governors Bola Tinubu and Babatunde Fashola before the governorship contest. He said Hamzat had the necessary political experience and support to contest the election but accepted the decision of party leaders to step aside. Sanwo-Olu noted that Hamzat had shaken his hand and, five weeks later, agreed to run beside him as his deputy governor.
Sanwo-Olu praised Hamzat's loyalty, stating that he had worked alongside him for 2,711 days without questioning his loyalty or commitment to their administration. He noted that while some political administrations treat deputy governors as secondary figures, Hamzat had consistently demonstrated his commitment to working as a partner in governance. Sanwo-Olu recalled that Hamzat had promised from the beginning of their administration to become the best deputy governor in Lagos history.
The governor also acknowledged Hamzat's contributions to major government projects and the state's response to the COVID-19 pandemic. He specifically mentioned the Blue and Red rail lines and the Lekki Deep Sea Port, noting that Hamzat's engineering background had enabled him to contribute technical knowledge to important infrastructure decisions. Sanwo-Olu also recalled Hamzat's involvement in the construction of the Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge during Fashola's administration and the digitisation of government processes under Tinubu.
Sanwo-Olu described Hamzat as an experienced public servant whose contributions to successive Lagos administrations had helped shape the state's development. He noted that Hamzat had built the Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge under Fashola, digitized government under Tinubu, and holds a doctorate in engineering. Sanwo-Olu also mentioned that Hamzat's father served under Lateef Jakande, adding that this was in his blood.
Sanwo-Olu's remarks came as Hamzat unveiled his governorship manifesto, tagged The Lagos PROMISE, ahead of the 2027 governorship election. The governor urged Lagos residents to support Hamzat, presenting his ambition as part of the state's leadership succession tradition since the return to democratic governance in 1999. He described Lagos governance as a continuous process in which successive administrations build on the achievements and foundations laid by their predecessors.
Using a relay race as an illustration, Sanwo-Olu said leadership transitions in the state had involved continuity and the transfer of experience from one administration to another. He argued that the state had developed a system of preparing experienced individuals for leadership responsibilities and that now was not the time to experiment. Sanwo-Olu urged Lagos residents to move forward together with The Lagos PROMISE.
Key points
- Hamzat stepped down from his governorship ambition in 2018 to support Sanwo-Olu's emergence as the APC candidate.
- Sanwo-Olu praised Hamzat's loyalty and contributions to major government projects and the state's response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Sanwo-Olu urged Lagos residents to support Hamzat's 2027 governorship ambition, presenting it as part of the state's leadership succession tradition.
