The All Progressives Congress, APC, has cleared Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, to participate in the party’s governorship primary election ahead of the 2027 Lagos governorship poll. The clearance followed his appearance before the APC Governorship Screening Committee in Abuja as preparations continue for the forthcoming primary election. The Hamzat governorship race move further strengthens ongoing political activities within the Lagos APC ahead of the next electoral cycle.
Hamzat confirmed the development in a statement shared through his official X account on Saturday. He described the clearance as an important stage in his political journey and reaffirmed his commitment to governance and public service in Lagos State.
According to him, “Today in Abuja, I appeared before the APC Governorship Screening Committee ahead of our party primaries. I am grateful for the clean bill of approval and clearance to move forward.”
The Hamzat governorship race has attracted growing attention within Lagos political circles following endorsements and consultations involving senior APC stakeholders. Earlier reports indicated that members of the Governor’s Advisory Council, GAC, had adopted Hamzat as a consensus governorship candidate ahead of the party primaries.
Political activities within the Lagos APC have intensified in recent months as aspirants prepare for internal contests expected to shape the party’s direction before the 2027 elections. The APC remains the dominant political party in Lagos State and its governorship primary is widely regarded as strategically significant within the state’s political structure.
Hamzat currently serves as deputy governor under Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and has held several public offices within Lagos State. He previously contested the APC governorship primary in 2015 and later stepped down during the 2019 political process before becoming deputy governor.
The Hamzat governorship race gained further momentum after reports emerged that APC stakeholders in Alimosho Federal Constituency endorsed him as the preferred successor to Governor Sanwo-Olu. The endorsement was announced during a stakeholders’ meeting involving party leaders and political coordinators within the constituency.
Some APC stakeholders stated that the endorsement reflected ongoing efforts to strengthen unity within party structures following internal disagreements recorded during previous elections. Party leaders also linked the move to continuity in governance and party organisation across Lagos communities.
Meanwhile, other aspirants have also entered the governorship contest. Former Peoples Democratic Party governorship candidate, Olajide Adediran, popularly known as Jandor, recently obtained APC nomination forms to contest in the governorship primary election.
Hamzat stated in an earlier submission of his nomination forms that his political ambition is rooted in governance continuity and service delivery. He said, “This journey is about service, responsibility, and building a Lagos that works better for every family, every business and every person that calls this state home.”
The Hamzat governorship race is expected to shape political alignments within the Lagos APC ahead of the primary election. Political observers believe the outcome may influence party structures, campaign strategies, and stakeholder negotiations across the state.
The emergence of multiple aspirants also signals increased political engagement within the ruling party as preparations continue for the 2027 election cycle. Analysts expect consultations and endorsements to continue in the coming months.
