Cheers As Sanwo-olu Hugs Hamzat, Endorses Deputy As Preferred Successor

By Akanni Toba

A resounding applause rent the air at the end of  a high-level  meeting involving members and leaders of the ruling All Progressives Congress, Lagos State chapter on Monday.

What sparked the applause was a symbolic  gesture  showed by the Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo-olu,  who gave his deputy, Obafemi Hamzat, a bear hug before raising his hand to present him to those in attendance as his preferred successor.

As shown in a viral video, the meeting took place at the governor’s office in Alausa on Monday.

After the endorsement, Sanwo-olu spoke glowingly about Hamzat, describing him as the “best man for the job,”.

The governor thereafter  offered prayers for his deputy, wishing him strength, peace and divine support in his future endeavours.

“Peace of mind, peace in your family among your children, wife, spouse and everybody. That which you require, God will provide it for you: renewed strength, God Almighty will make it available for you,” Sanwo-Olu said.

In an appreciation post on his X page, Hamzat said Sanwo-Olu’s endorsement means “a great deal” to him.

“Today, I am honoured by the endorsement of my Governor, my brother and my friend, HE Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu,” he wrote.

“His trust means a great deal to me. We’ve worked side by side in the service of Lagos State, and I don’t take this vote of confidence lightly.”

“I remain committed to building on the progress we’ve made together, and look forward to serving Lagosians with integrity, focus and a clear sense of purpose.”

The development comes amid recent speculation over possible contenders for the 2027 Lagos governorship ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC), with political discussions suggesting that Hamzat had emerged as a leading contender.