Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has formally endorsed his deputy, Obafemi Hamzat, as his preferred successor for the 2027 governorship election.

This significant announcement was made following a closed-door meeting held at Lagos House, Marina, where Deputy Governor Hamzat officially declared his intention to contest the state's top political office.

The crucial meeting was attended by a high-profile delegation of state executive council members and prominent political figures.

Among those present were influential members of the Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC), including Musiliu Obanikoro and Ganiyu Olanrewaju Solomon, signifying a broad consensus among party leaders regarding the succession plan.

Governor Sanwo-Olu, addressing journalists after the session, underscored the unanimous nature of the decision, stating that it was agreed upon by all in attendance.

Governor Sanwo-Olu lauded Hamzat’s extensive experience and demonstrated capability, highlighting his seven years of service as deputy governor.

He described Hamzat as a leader who has earned the administration's full confidence, emphasizing his significant contributions to governance and asserting that his background perfectly positions him as a ready and well-prepared successor.

Sanwo-Olu praised Hamzat for his "highest level of integrity, loyalty, commitment, and support" throughout their working relationship, reinforcing his belief that Hamzat is "fit and well-prepared for this job" and "knows where all the rooms in the house are."

Furthermore, Governor Sanwo-Olu extended his gratitude to President Bola Tinubu, acknowledging the President’s vision and instrumental role in fostering the political partnership between himself and Hamzat.

Sanwo-Olu passionately advocated for Hamzat, declaring, "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 characterized the consultative gathering as a "warm family meeting" that resulted in broad agreement on Hamzat's candidacy, signaling early political alignments within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in anticipation of the 2027 general elections.

Meanwhile, a dissenting voice emerged from within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State.

A group known as The Mandate Movement (TMM), specifically from Oshodi/Isolo Constituencies 1 and 2, expressed strong opposition to any attempts to impose candidates through undemocratic means.

In a communiqué issued after an emergency meeting in Ilasamaja, read by its leader and GAC member Muraino Taiwo, TMM warned that it would actively resist efforts to manipulate the party structure for individual interests.

The group specifically accused the Justice Forum caucus of endorsing the incumbent member representing Oshodi/Isolo Constituency 2 in the Lagos State House of Assembly without formally inviting or informing TMM leaders, despite their prominent caucus status, describing this as a recurring pattern of sidelining their leadership.