BY CHARLES CHIJIOKE
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has endorsed his deputy, Obafemi Hamzat, as his preferred successor for the 2027 governorship election, a move that could significantly shape the internal dynamics of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.
The endorsement reportedly came during a closed-door meeting at Lagos House, Marina, where Hamzat formally declared his intention to contest. The meeting was attended by members of the state executive council and influential party stakeholders, including figures within the Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC).
Sanwo-Olu described Hamzat as “a capable and experienced leader,” emphasizing that his seven years as deputy governor have positioned him as a ready successor. According to the governor, Hamzat’s contributions to governance have been “significant,” adding that his experience within the administration provides continuity and stability for Lagos.
However, the development has already triggered internal resistance within the ruling party. A faction of the APC under The Mandate Movement (TMM) in Oshodi/Isolo constituencies rejected what it described as attempts to impose candidates through undemocratic means. In a communiqué issued after an emergency meeting in Ilasamaja, the group warned it would resist any effort to manipulate party structures for individual interests.
The group further accused another caucus, the Justice Forum, of sidelining it by endorsing a candidate without proper consultation, calling the move part of a “recurring pattern” aimed at marginalising its leadership within the party.
The endorsement of Hamzat, while consolidating support from key government figures, risks deepening factional divides within the APC in Lagos—long known for its complex internal power blocs. Analysts say early endorsements, though strategic, often spark disputes over zoning, internal democracy, and candidate selection processes.
If not carefully managed, the emerging tensions could weaken party cohesion ahead of the 2027 elections, potentially opening space for opposition parties to capitalise on internal fractures. Conversely, a unified front around Hamzat could strengthen continuity in governance and policy direction in Nigeria’s commercial capital.
The situation underscores the delicate balance within the APC between political succession planning and maintaining inclusivity among its various caucuses, as the race for Lagos’ top seat gradually takes shape.
