The APC flagbearer for the 2027 Lagos governorship may be decided by mid-May. Dr Kadri Obafemi Hamzat secured formal endorsements from three powerful state political figures. He gained support from Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi, the state APC chairman. Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, also endorsed him. Senator Ganiyu Olarenwaju Solomon, a former Lagos West Senator, supported Hamzat too.
The endorsements happened during visits to the party secretariat and two residences. They show the succession plan is taking shape. The ruling party’s machinery strongly supports the deputy governor’s ambitions.
Key Takeaways at a Glance
A Coordinated Endorsement: The chairman, speaker, and senator from one powerful bloc publicly support Dr Hamzat. They say his candidature “has been sealed”. Hence, no further discussion.
A Broader Strategy: Hamzat’s emergence is part of a larger Southwest consensus strategy. Reports suggest party leaders are organising similar arrangements to back Senator Olamilekan Adeola (Yayi) in Ogun. Also, the same is applicable to Senator Sharafadeen Alli in Oyo.
The President’s Unspoken Role: While President Bola Tinubu has not publicly endorsed anyone for last-minute consultations’ sake. However, the endorsements are coming from his innermost political circle, who are using language that strongly hints at his approval.
Power Blocs Are Aligning: It is obvious the fractured “Mandate Group” is losing ground to the ascendant “Justice Forum” coalition. Importantly, the Justice Forum possesses political heavyweights like James Faleke and consolidates its hold on the succession agenda.
Potential Rivals: While some chieftains are coalescing behind Hamzat, other powerful figures still remain in the race. The most visible heavyweight among them is the former Governor Akinwunmi Ambode. Thus, if he pulls his strings well, then the battle may not be over yet.
Ojelabi: “We Support You; We Trust You” at the APC secretariat. He said that standing before the State Working Committee, Pastor Ojelabi did not mince words. Furthermore, he affirmed the party’s full commitment to Hamzat’s political goals, offering a rare and direct blessing. He said, “We support you, trust you, and are confident in your competency and humility.” His praise served as an organisational directive, signalling leadership chose Hamzat before the official primary.
Obasa: “The Candidature Has Been Sealed” At the speaker’s residence, the mood shifted from formal endorsement to political triumphalism. Speaker Obasa, arguably the second most powerful elected official in the Alausa power structure after the governor. He told the gathering that Hamzat’s nomination was no longer a matter of speculation—it was a done deal. “I had discussions with those who matter, and the conclusion is that Hamzat will carry the party’s banner. We love you, we support you, and we will do everything to ensure that we win the election.”
Obasa said in an additional comment that the speaker noted that “the position remains unchanged” following discussions in Abuja. He was more or less suggesting that the decision had been ratified at the highest levels. Sources indicated that party leaders quietly endorsed Hamzat as the consensus candidate.
Senator Solomon: The Voice of Experience Senator Ganiyu Solomon, a veteran of Lagos politics, focused his remarks on grassroots mobilisation. In addition, he emphasised the practicalities of winning. He urged residents of Mushin, his home base, to come out on Election Day to cast their votes. Also, emphasising that “that’s the way you can demonstrate your loyalty to our party and our government.”
The Bigger Picture:
A Broader Southwest Strategy.
The March 23 meeting at a Lagos location included President Tinubu, Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila, and Governor Sanwo-Olu. Others include Dapo Abiodun (Ogun) and Biodun Oyebanji (Ekiti), as well as Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele. In addition, the likes of NRS Executive Chairman Zaccheaus Adedeji were present. According to sources, leaders reached the choices of Hamzat, Yayi [Adeola], and Alli after a prolonged discussion. In addition, the president was there, taking into account the collective opinions of those present. The sources said, aside from their opinions, “He needed the popularity of the candidates in their respective states before consideration.”
The pattern that emerged from that meeting now appears to be unfolding in public. As it stands, Lagos: Dr Obafemi Hamzat. Ogun: Senator Olamilekan Adeola. · Oyo: Senator Sharafadeen Alli.
A political observer and commentator, Mr Jide Ojo, noted that “Tinubu’s endorsement of these candidates may be strategic. It more or less signals his desire to solidify his influence in the region ahead of the 2027 elections. It is a strategic move to ensure that the APC remains dominant in the Southwest of Nigeria. As it is a critical region for the party’s national ambitions.”
The 2027 Landscape:
What’s At Stake
The Lagos governorship is arguably the most coveted political office in Nigeria after the presidency. With Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu constitutionally barred from seeking a third term, the race to succeed him is shaping up to be among the most consequential political contests in the country. The state’s annual budget now hovers near ₦2 trillion, and its bustling economy—Africa’s largest city—continues to attract significant foreign investment. The person who occupies Lagos House, Alausa, after May 2027 will command one of the most powerful economic engines on the continent, with implications that extend far beyond the state’s boundaries.
The Role of the Governance Advisory Council (GAC)
The Lagos APC does not operate like other state chapters because, at its apex, sits the Governance Advisory Council (GAC). This unelected body consists of party elders, former governors, and strategic kingmakers. Furthermore, it effectively “clears” candidates before they can even dream of securing a party ticket. Consequently, the GAC chairman, Pa Tajudeen Olusi, has already hinted strongly at Hamzat’s emergence as the consensus candidate. Hence, at a public event, Olusi repeatedly referred to Hamzat as “our incoming Governor of Lagos”, a remark that drew visible reactions from delegates.
Moreover, he further reinforced the message by framing Hamzat as a “son of the soil” and a “cousin from Egbe”. Invariably, underscoring the political importance of indigenous credentials in a state where the indigenes-settler dynamic remains a potent factor.
The GAC’s involvement is critical:
Without its blessing, no candidate can realistically hope to win the APC primary. By publicly positioning Hamzat as the chosen candidate, the council has effectively set the stage. Furthermore, Pa Olusi seems to have huge confidence in Hamzat.
The Fashola Factor
The recent meeting between Hamzat and former governor Babatunde Fashola has also raised eyebrows. Fashola, who served two terms from 2007 to 2015 and remains widely respected among Lagos elites. He clearly selects his public political associates with great care. Hence, meeting with Fashola carries a lot of weight. Importantly, it signals to other party grandees that Hamzat has cleared whatever hurdles Fashola might have placed in his path. Fashola’s quiet presence in the background of these endorsements may prove as potent as any public declaration.
A House United:
The Factional Struggles Behind the Scenes
For decades, two main power blocs have dominated Lagos APC politics: the Justice Forum and the Mandate Group. Their competition for influence has shaped everything from candidate selection to resource allocation. The Justice Forum, the older of the two, traces its origins to the NADECO struggle. It has always aligned with Tinubu’s innermost circle. However, the Mandate Group, which emerged as a counterweight in the early 2000s, now holds less influence. It was initially led by Rauf Aregbesola before falling out of favour with President Tinubu.
However, the Mandate Group has been in decline over time. Key figures such as James Faleke have defected to the Justice Forum, fragmenting the group’s influence. Recent local government elections and political appointments have reportedly seen the Justice Forum dominate decision-making processes. Hence, leaving the Mandate Group weakened and factionalised. Hamzat’s emergence appears to signal a consolidation of power within the Justice Forum. By rallying figures like Faleke, who himself had ambitions for higher office, Hamzat is effectively building a coalition that bridges old rivalries.
The Ambode Question:
For now, it appears that party leadership has settled on Hamzat to be the party’s flag bearer. Nonetheless, Ambode is likely to be “compensated in another way at the federal level”. However, the future will determine how the theatrics will evolve.
What’s Next
With the APC’s governorship primaries scheduled for May 18, 2026, the political machines are already in motion. For Hamzat, the path ahead is now relatively clear. The endorsements from Ojelabi, Obasa, and Solomon provide him with the legitimacy he needs to begin formal campaign activities. But while these three endorsements are powerful and carry the weight of the establishment, the final political word still rests with President Tinubu, who must ultimately ratify any arrangement through his influence. Should Tinubu give his formal blessing in the coming days, Hamzat’s coronation will be complete—setting the stage for a 2027 general election where the APC will seek to retain its iron grip on Africa’s largest megacity.
For now, however, the message is unmistakable: the party machinery is moving, and it is moving behind Dr Kadri Obafemi Hamzat.
