Lagos 2027: Governor Sanwo-Olu Publicly Endorses Hamzat As His Successor

By Akinwale Kasali 

It is finished. Lucky guy. Before a vote is even cast for the 2027 Lagos State Governorship Election, the race seems to have been won and lost.

Dr Obafemi Hamzat, unless the heavens fall, will be the elected Governor of Lagos State in 2027. Hamzat, who is the current Deputy Governor of the State, has been endorsed by all the stakeholders in the State, including, the big boss himself, President Bola Tinubu.

Even though Tinubu had endorsed him through proxies, not a few people were waiting, breadth withheld, to hear from Dr. Hamzat’s immediate boss, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

Taking the bull by the horn, some said falling into line, Governor Sanwo-Olu on Monday, April 27, 2026, announced his Deputy, Hamzat, as his preferred successor.

The Governor made this announcement after a closed-door meeting at Lagos House, Marina, Governor Sanwo-Olu. By so doing, he shut-up doubting Thomases, and gossips who were spreading the news that the Governor was not quite comfortable with Hamzat, and may never publicly endorse him.

With this declaration by Sanwo-Olu that Hamzat can now formally declare his intention to contest the Governorship Seat, other aspirants can now calmly leak their wounds.

Present at the declaration were members of the State Executive Council and key party leaders.

Also present at the meeting were members of the Governor’s Advisory Council, including former Minister of State of Defense, Musiliu Obanikoro, and Ganiyu Solomon, among others.

Addressing journalists after the meeting, Sanwo-Olu described the endorsement as a unanimous decision reached by stakeholders present. 

He described Hamzat as prepared and capable of leading the state.

He added that working with Hamzat over the past seven years showed him as a man of “integrity, loyalty, commitment, and support”.

A video that has gone viral shows Governor Sanwo-Olu lifting Hamzat’s hand, after praying for him to the cheer of those present.

Speaking to newsmen, Governor Sanwo Olu said, “We just received Mr Deputy, who had come with a very powerful delegation of our leaders in the state to inform us of his intention to contest for the seat of the governorship position of the state.

“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.”

Sanwo-Olu highlighted Hamzat’s experience and working relationship with him over the past seven years, noting his “integrity, loyalty, commitment, and support” as defining qualities.

“He is a man who has worked with me at the highest level of integrity, loyalty, commitment, support, and so I feel personally honoured and privileged that he has given me this honour to inform me,” he said.

The Governor thanked President Bola, who, he said, is instrumental to the discovery of himself and Hamzat, as well as their working relationship.

“We thank our father, our leader, Mr President, who saw the vision… that long run is what is already being manifested here today,” he added.

Describing Hamzat as ready for leadership, Sanwo-Olu said, “This is a Deputy Governor that is worth a Governor from day one. This is a man that has been built for this job, and we believe that he deserves to be given a chance to go and run this State.”

He further characterised the meeting as a consultative process involving party leaders and government officials, noting that the endorsement followed broad agreement among stakeholders.

“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,” he said.