LAGOS 2027: APC Searches for Hamzat's Running Mate, Launches Large-Scale Outreach Effort

Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, has gained significant momentum in his bid for the governorship, with key stakeholders, including the Lagos State chapter of the Nigerian Labour Congress, NLC, and the Trade Union Congress, TUC, throwing their weight behind him ahead of the 2027 election.

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This development comes as several individuals are vying to become his running mate, prompting the APC leadership to carefully evaluate its options and consider the best candidate for the position.

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Ahead of the primaries, a concerned group within the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Oshodi-Isolo Constituency has raised concerns over alleged plans by Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, an expelled party member now in opposition, to sponsor a candidate for the House of Representatives seat, contrary to the wishes of party members in the area.

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Dr. Obafemi Hamzat's campaign has received earlier endorsements from prominent figures, including President Bola Tinubu, the Governance Advisory Council, GAC, of APC, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and Dr. Olajide Adediran, also known as Jandor, who withdrew from the race to support the consensus candidate.

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During the 2026 World Labour Day celebration, themed 'Insecurity, Poverty: Bane of Decent Work,' held at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan, union leaders expressed confidence in Hamzat's candidacy and pledged to support his governorship ambition, citing his loyalty, competence, and experience.

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Funmi Sessi, Chairperson of the Lagos Council of the NLC, stated: "Hamzat is loyal, competent, tested and trusted, and his victory will ensure continued developmental strides achieved by successive administrations in the state, particularly Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu."

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Representing Governor Sanwo-Olu at the event, Hamzat acknowledged the confidence placed in him, expressed gratitude for the support, and pledged to continue developing Lagos State with integrity, saying: "We will not let you down, the developmental trajectory will be improved upon in Lagos."

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Hamzat also emphasized his experience, saying: "Nobody is ready because the assignment is audacious, but what you have is experience, having served as Deputy Governor of Lagos under Governor Sanwo-Olu, I've learned a lot, I know the room, I know where the kitchen is."

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Hamzat has cleared a significant hurdle in his bid, successfully appearing before the APC Governorship Screening Committee in Abuja, where he received a clean bill of approval to participate in the party's forthcoming governorship primary election.

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Following the screening process, Hamzat explained: "The screening was designed to verify the credentials, records, and experiences submitted by aspirants seeking to fly the APC flag, the essence of the screening is to ensure that everything submitted is accurate and verifiable."

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The APC leadership is currently at a crossroads over who will be Hamzat's running mate, with the initial choice, Bimbola Salu-Hundeyin, the present Secretary to the State Government, SSG, representing Badagry division, having been rejected by stakeholders in Badagry.

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As a result, the party is now considering alternative candidates for the position, following protests by stakeholders against the initial choice.