CITIZENS COMPASS—Amidst speculation, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on Wednesday, endorsed Lagos State deputy governor, Obafemi Hamzat, as his preferred candidate for the Lagos governorship poll in 2027.
The endorsement took place in Abuja.
Hamzat will be contesting under the incumbent All Progressives Congress (APC).
With the endorsement, Hamzat will be A PC’s consensus governorship candidate for the election.
Citizens Compass reported that some big wigs in APC including the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rotn. Mudashiru Obasa has endorsed Hamzat.
Similarly, the highest decision-making body of the APC in Lagos which is the Governance Advisory Council (GAC), has endorsed the deputy governor after a meeting at Lagos House, Marina.
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu has also publicly endorsed Hamzat.
The endorsement has been generating mixed reactions as some APC members were in the position that a former Lagos State Governor, Akinwumi Ambode should have been considered to succeed Sanwo-Olu.
They said this would have allowed Ambode to complete his tenure of eight years.
Citizens Compass learnt that a peaceful protest may likely be organised in Epe in support of Ambode.
Top party figures, including members of the GAC and Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, had met with Tinubu in Abuja to present Hamzat’s candidacy and seek his support.
Sanwo-Olu had earlier publicly endorsed his deputy as his preferred successor, describing him as competent and well-grounded in governance.
With Tinubu’s backing, the endorsements mark a consolidation of political support around Hamzat ahead of the 2027 race.
