Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Monday openly endorsed his deputy, Obafemi Hamzat, for the 2027 governorship race, describing him as “fit, well-prepared and capable” of leading the state.
Sanwo-Olu said his experience working closely with Hamzat over the past seven years had convinced him that the deputy governor possesses the integrity, loyalty and administrative capacity required to govern Lagos State.
A viral video from the meeting shows Sanwo-Olu lifting Hamzat’s hand in a gesture of support after praying for him, amid cheers from attendees.
The endorsement took place during a closed-door meeting at Lagos House, Marina, where Hamzat formally informed the governor and members of the State Executive Council, alongside key All Progressives Congress (APC) leaders, of his intention to contest the 2027 governorship election.
Speaking with journalists after the meeting, Sanwo-Olu said the decision reflected a unanimous position among stakeholders present.
“We just received Mr Deputy, who came with a very powerful delegation of our leaders in the state to inform us of his intention to contest for the governorship position of the state,” he said.
“It was unanimous with all of us to say that Mr Deputy Governor is a man who is fit and well-prepared for this job. He is a man who knows where all the rooms in the house are.
“He is a man who has worked with me at the highest level of integrity, loyalty, commitment and support, and I feel personally honoured and privileged that he has given me this honour to inform me.
“We thank our father, our leader, Mr President, who saw the vision… that long run is what is already being manifested here today.
“It’s been a very warm family meeting, and at the end of the day, it was unanimous that Mr Deputy Governor is fit, ready, well baked for this job.”
VANGUARD