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As gathered by our news desk, emergence of Lagos State Deputy Gov. Obafemi Hamzat as a leading gubernatorial contender due to his continued endorsement by key stakeholders in Lagos politics clearly signifies a shift from the old order.
Read Also: Video: ‘He’s fit, prepared’ – Sanwo-Olu endorses Hamzat for 2027 Lagos governorship
Hamzat, who has begun series of consultations in the past weeks, got much endorsements from political power brokers in the commercial nerve centre.
He is aspiring to be the next governor of Lagos State on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), the platform on which he was elected the state deputy governor.
Among the latest and strongest of Hamzat’s endorsements is by his principal, Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, with whom he has served Lagos State for the past seven years.
Sanwo-Olu publicly endorsed Hamzat’s gubernatorial aspiration on Monday, describing him as competent, prepared and deserving to lead.
The endorsement signals efforts toward continuity in administration as well as an attempt to break a long-standing ‘jinx’ in Lagos politics where no deputy has ever succeeded his or her principal.“We just concluded a visit where the deputy governor came with a strong delegation to formally inform me of his intention,” Sanwo-Olu pointed out on Monday.
The governor noted that the high-level delegation reflected broad political support and confidence in Hamzat’s capacity to lead Lagos effectively if elected.
The governor described his deputy as a man of humility, integrity, loyalty and commitment.
Hamzat has also received support from the state Governor’s Advisory Council and members of the Lagos State Executive Council.
His consultations with party stakeholders, including Sen. Musiliu Obanikoro and Sen. Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, are ongoing.
Political analysts are convinced that the gubernatorial candidate of APC in Lagos State for the 2027 elections will emerge through established processes.
Prince Wale Ojetimi, a veteran journalist and Publisher of Amatropics Newslive, described Hamzat’s endorsement by Sanwo-Olu and others as well deserved.
“Hamzat has remained a level-headed technocrat and a loyal party man with the capacity to sustain the developmental strides of Lagos State,” he mentioned.
as confirmed by him, Hamzat will be the first Lagos deputy governor to serve eight consecutive years, if he completes the current term in 2027.
Mr Tunde Alao, an aide to the deputy governor, declared the endorsements reflected Hamzat’s commitment to the progress of the state.
“Consultations have been successful, and there is growing support across the state,” he disclosed.
Dr Qasim Akinreti, a former Chairman of Lagos State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, observed that the endorsements would be the first for a deputy governor who served for two terms in Lagos State.
He pointed out the endorsements aligned with the state’s tradition of electing capable leaders.
He added that Hamzat’s experience in governance distinguished him.
A teacher, Mrs Calista Ugwu, predicted that Hamzat would be the first deputy governor in Lagos State to finish two-terms and still maintain a good relationship with his principal to the level of getting his endorsement to run for governorship.
She noted that this spoke volumes of Hamzat’s loyalty and patience.
as confirmed by her, a number of deputy governors in Lagos State had conflicts with their principals before the end of their first tenure.
A trader in Lagos, Mr Ken Alao, disclosed that if elected, Hamzat would the first Lagos Deputy Governor to succeed his principal as elected governor.
He noted that previous Lagos deputy governors such as Kofoworola Bucknor-Akerele, Olufemi Pedro, Sarah Sosan, and Idiat Adebule served for varied tenures but none succeeded his or her principal.
Analysts urge that the next governor of Lagos should be the desire of the residents and must build on the achievements of successive administrations in the state.
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Oyebade Oluwatobiloba
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