Lagos gov: GAC adopts Hamzat as APC candidate

Dr. Obafemi Hamzat (middle) flanked by Gov. Sanwo-Olu (2nd right) and GAC members.

•Says APC will still conduct primaries for all positions 

*Jandor, group insist on primaries for governoship aspirants 

AHEAD of the governorship primaries, the Governance Advisory Council, GAC, of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Lagos State, has adopted the Deputy Governor, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, as the consensus candidate for the 2027 elections.

The GAC is the highest decision-making organ of the APC in Lagos State. 

It would be recalled that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, had already threw his weight behind Hamzat for the APC ticket.

Governor Sanwo-Olu and the leader of GAC, Prince Tajudeen Olusi, announced the adoption after a closed-door meeting held at Lagos House, Marina.

While the GAC has agreed to purchase the N50 million governorship nomination forms for Hamzat, the council, however, clarified that despite the consensus, the APC will still conduct primaries for all positions.

Speaking after the end of the meeting, Olusi said: “We deliberated on the forthcoming primaries of our party in preparation for the 2027 general elections in our state, and we examined the position of the governorship for 2027.

“The constitution of our party provides for primaries and our party has guaranteed free primaries for all members, for all aspirants, for all interested individuals.

“However, that very constitution also allows us to look at the issue of consensus. Consensus is a platform that can bring us together, fostering peace and unity.

“Following this option, we have adopted, we have all agreed that Dr Obafemi Hamzat, the current deputy governor of our state, is the consensus candidate of our party, and we have all pledged to stand by him.”

When asked if there would be primaries despite the endorsement, the GAC leader said, “Yes, we will still do the primary. There’s a procedure to it; we’ll still do that. We just want you to know that this body has adopted him. And you also see a video that I’m sure is coming out from Abuja, where the presidential form has been procured.”

Also speaking, Governor Sanwo-Olu said: “The GAC will fund the nomination forms and whatever the amount is for Mr Deputy Governor, who is a consensus candidate.

“They have levied themselves, and they said that they are the ones going to buy him a form for his nomination.”

Jandor, group insist on primaries 

Meanwhile, one of the Lagos governorship aspirants, Mr Olajide Adediran, popularly called Jandor, has reaffirmed his respect for the constitutional and political right of Governor Sanwo-Olu to endorse an aspirant of his choice.

He clarified that his position does not, in any way, amount to opposition to party leaders who have endorsed Hamzat. 

Adediran said: “However, it should be noted that the leadership of the party is yet to formally communicate a change of its position that the candidates of the party for the 2027 general elections will be chosen through direct primaries. 

“As it stands, the expectation remains that a direct primary will determine the party’s gubernatorial candidate.

“In this context, I, Dr Adediran, remain firmly in the race and continue my engagement with party members, stakeholders, and the grassroots across Lagos State in anticipation of the direct primaries.”

Also, a concerned group in Amuwo-Odofin has called for primaries against consensus. 

The group, in a statement, stated the call became necessary following recent claims emerging from the Amuwo-Odofin APC Apex Leadership suggesting an endorsement of the candidacy of Moses Olanrewaju, reportedly backed by 38 out of 42 apex leaders. 

The group said: “While internal alignment is a normal part of party structure, the deeper question remains: what does such an endorsement truly achieve if it is not rooted in broad consultation and inclusion?

“In local government politics like Amuwo-Odofin, endorsement is not merely a declaration; it is a political signal that can either unite or unintentionally divide. 

“When consensus is projected without visible and deliberate engagement with all aspirants, it risks creating silent resentment among other contenders who also have legitimate ambition and support bases within the party.”