Hamzat Emerges Frontrunner as Tinubu Endorses Lagos APC Consensus Bid

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has thrown his weight behind Lagos State Deputy Governor, Obafemi Hamzat, endorsing him as the preferred candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the forthcoming governorship race in Lagos State.

The endorsement followed a high-level meeting held on Wednesday at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, where members of the Lagos Governance Advisory Council (GAC), led by its Chairman, Tajudeen Olusi, formally presented Hamzat to the President as the party’s consensus choice.

Speaking shortly after the meeting, Hamzat described the development as a strong boost to his political journey, noting that the support of party leaders and the President has further strengthened his confidence ahead of the contest.

He admitted that leadership at that level comes with huge responsibility but said his experience serving as deputy governor under Babajide Sanwo-Olu has given him valuable exposure to governance and state administration.

“Nobody is ever fully ready for an assignment like this, but experience matters. I understand how the system works, and I’m confident in what lies ahead,” he said.

The endorsement is the latest development in a series of strategic political alignments within the Lagos APC. Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu had earlier openly expressed support for Hamzat as his preferred successor, while the 34-member GAC also unanimously backed him after deliberations in Lagos.

Adding to the momentum, a member of the House of Representatives, James Faleke, reportedly sponsored and facilitated the purchase of Hamzat’s ₦50 million governorship nomination form, further signalling strong internal party backing.

Chairman of the GAC, Tajudeen Olusi, dismissed concerns raised by other aspirants, explaining that consensus-building is part of political decision-making within a party structure.

“In a democracy, people are free to express opinions. But as leaders, we come together, deliberate, and make decisions in the best interest of the party,” he said.

Despite the growing support around Hamzat, the APC leadership has maintained that the governorship primary will still hold in line with party guidelines. The primary election is scheduled for May 21, following the close of nomination submissions on May 4.

For now, Hamzat stands as the leading figure in the race, with strong backing from key political stakeholders as Lagos prepares for what is expected to be a closely watched contest.