Deputy Governor, Lagos State, Obafemi Hamzat
Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, has said President Bola Tinubu has blessed his governorship ambition ahead of the 2027 Lagos State election.
Hamzat disclosed this on Wednesday after a meeting between President Tinubu and the Governance Advisory Council of the Lagos State All Progressives Congress at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Speaking to journalists, he said the delegation, led by GAC chairman Prince Tajudeen Olusi, presented him to the President and received his blessing for the decision to back his candidature.
“These are fathers, they are leaders, they’ve seen a lot of Christmases, they’ve seen a lot of Eid El Kabir, so they have experience, and therefore I’m really, really excited that they brought me here to meet Mr President, and Mr President has blessed us and blessed the decision of GAC,” Hamzat said.
He described the governorship assignment as “audacious”, but expressed confidence that his experience as Deputy Governor would prepare him for the task ahead.
“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.
“You know, if you want to cook for people and you don’t know the kitchen, doesn’t matter how good a chef you are, you must know the kitchen.
“So with God’s blessings and the support of all my fathers here, I really don’t have any fear,” he added.
Wednesday’s meeting at the Villa followed a series of endorsements within 72 hours, including Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s public declaration on Monday backing Hamzat as his preferred successor, as well as the GAC’s unanimous adoption of him at a meeting held Tuesday at Lagos House, Marina.
The 34-member council also resolved to purchase Hamzat’s N50 million governorship nomination form in support of his ambition.
Speaking after the Villa meeting, GAC Chairman, Prince Tajudeen Olusi, said the council’s decision reflected collective agreement among members, dismissing objections raised by other aspirants.
He, however, clarified that the party would still conduct primaries in line with APC guidelines to ensure fairness and internal democracy.
Hamzat, 59, has served as Deputy Governor of Lagos State since 2019 and previously held office as Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure under former Governor Akinwunmi Ambode.
The Punch
