2027: Hamzat Gets GAC’s Blessing As APC Consensus Candidate 

By Rotela Oguns

Obafemi Hamzat, the deputy governor of Lagos State, is now in a pole position to be standard bearer of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the 2027 governorship race in the state.

This is as the  Governance Advisory Council (GAC), the apex leadership body of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos, threw its weight behind Hamzat as the consensus candidate for the upcoming election.

The  move was announced on Tuesday by the chairman of GAC, Tajudeen Olusi, while speaking at Lagos House, Marina.

Olusi noted that members of the council had unanimously agreed to back Hamzat’s candidacy.

“We have adopted, and 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. That is the information,” he said.

In a further show of support, Olusi and Sanwo-Olu jointly raised Hamzat’s hand in a symbolic gesture, drawing applause from other party leaders present at the briefing.

Responding, Sanwo-Olu said party elders had also resolved to purchase Hamzat’s nomination form ahead of the election.

“Additional information is that all of my leaders and fathers here have tasked themselves that they are going to fund the nomination form for the deputy governor, who is our consensus candidate,” the governor said.

“They have all levied themselves, even from their savings as retirees, saying they are the ones who will buy him the form for his nomination.”

While it’s yet to be known whether other aspirants would accede to this decision, it’s however clear that Hamzat has one hand on the Lagos exalted seat considering GAC’s influence in determining who flag the APC’S flag in a governorship election in the state.

The development follows the endorsement of Hamzat’s governorship ambition by Babajide Sanwo-Olu during a meeting of party leaders at the governor’s office in Alausa on Monday.

Sanwo-Olu, who described Hamzat as the “best man for the job”, prayed for his deputy, wishing him strength, peace, and divine support in his future endeavours.

At the close of the meeting, Sanwo-Olu embraced his deputy and raised his hand before party leaders in a symbolic gesture that drew applause from those in attendance.