A former Governor of Lagos State, Akinwunmi Ambode, has publicly endorsed Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat as the All Progressives Congress (APC) consensus governorship candidate for the 2027 Lagos election.
Ambode made his position known in a personally signed statement released on Thursday, where he congratulated Hamzat on his emergence as the party’s preferred flagbearer.
“I join my fellow members of the All Progressives Congress to congratulate my brother and friend, Dr. Kadiri Obafemi Hamzat, on his emergence as the consensus governorship candidate of our great party, the APC.
“Your deliberate and purposeful consultations with the party hierarchy and all members of the party have demonstrated you are a true party man committed to the party’s ideals and values of unity and progress,” Ambode stated.
The former governor said Hamzat’s emergence was a reflection of years of loyalty, dedication and commitment to the ruling party.
According to him, the deputy governor’s long-standing service within the APC structure positions him as the right candidate to lead Lagos State after Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s tenure.
Ambode expressed confidence in Hamzat’s capacity to build on the developmental achievements recorded in Lagos over the years.
“I am sure that our state will benefit immensely from your wealth of experience and skills,” he added.
The endorsement adds to the growing support for Hamzat from influential APC stakeholders in Lagos, following his recent adoption as the party’s consensus governorship candidate.
Beyond the Lagos governorship race, Ambode also reaffirmed his support for President Bola Tinubu’s second-term ambition ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
He stressed that the future prosperity of both Lagos State and Nigeria depends heavily on the continuation of Tinubu’s leadership at the national level.
“As I congratulate Dr. Hamzat on his adoption, I restate my unshakeable commitment to support the re-election of our Leader, President Bola Tinubu. I strongly believe that the greater prosperity of Lagos and indeed Nigeria is firmly tied to the continued governance of Mr. President,” he said.
Ambode expressed optimism that Tinubu’s policies and leadership direction would ultimately yield positive results for the country.
“I am confident that Mr. President’s vision and aspirations for our nation will yield bountiful returns and put us on the path of growth and prosperity. We are ready to roll up our sleeves and work to deliver landslide victories for our party at both the state and federal levels as the process unfolds,” he added.
The former governor further charged APC members in Lagos to mobilise massively for the 2027 elections, setting an ambitious target of three million votes for Tinubu.
“As Lagos APC, our mission should be to deliver at least 3 million votes for Mr. President and support other states in the South West to deliver great results. We must return all our party-nominated senators and representatives to the National Assembly.
“By the grace of Almighty God, the best days of Lagos and Nigeria are still ahead of us,” Ambode said.
His endorsement comes amid heightened political realignments within the Lagos APC as preparations intensify for the 2027 general elections.
What You Should Know
Akinwunmi Ambode’s endorsement of Obafemi Hamzat is a major political development in Lagos APC politics, as it further strengthens Hamzat’s growing support base among influential party leaders.
The endorsement also signals increasing unity within the party ahead of the 2027 governorship election. Ambode’s strong backing of President Tinubu’s re-election campaign highlights Lagos APC’s broader electoral strategy, which focuses on consolidating support at both state and national levels.
His call for three million votes underscores the significance of Lagos in national electoral calculations and reflects the party’s determination to retain dominance in the state.
