Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, has officially emerged as the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress for the 2027 Lagos governorship election after securing a sweeping victory in the party’s primary election held across the state. The development marks a major political milestone in Lagos politics and positions Hamzat as the ruling party’s standard bearer ahead of what is expected to be one of the most significant governorship contests in Nigeria.
According to the official results announced after the exercise, Hamzat secured an overwhelming 657,000 votes to defeat his only challenger, Lanre Jim-Kamal, who polled just one vote in the statewide primary election. The landslide outcome immediately triggered celebrations among APC supporters and political loyalists across Lagos, with many describing the result as a strong endorsement of Hamzat’s years of experience in governance and public administration. ..READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE .
Hamzat’s emergence did not come as a surprise to many political observers, as the deputy governor had enjoyed increasing support within the APC structure in recent months. Reports before the primary had indicated that influential leaders within the party, including President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and members of the Governance Advisory Council, strongly backed his ambition to succeed Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu in 2027.
In his acceptance speech titled “My Lagos Dream,” Hamzat described his victory as a call to greater service and pledged to continue the developmental agenda established by successive APC administrations in Lagos State. He expressed gratitude to President Tinubu, First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, Governor Sanwo-Olu, party leaders, and APC members across the 20 local government areas and 37 local council development areas for their support throughout the primary process.
The deputy governor stated that his ambition was driven by his passion for service and his desire to sustain Lagos’ transformation into one of Africa’s leading economic and commercial centres. He promised to deepen investment in critical infrastructure, transportation, healthcare, education, technology, and job creation if elected governor in 2027.
Hamzat also emphasized the importance of inclusive governance, stressing that his administration would focus on improving the welfare of ordinary Lagosians regardless of social status, ethnic background, or location within the state. According to him, Lagos must continue to build a society driven by innovation, equal opportunity, and sustainable growth in order to meet the demands of its rapidly growing population.
Speaking on the conduct of the primary election earlier in the day, Hamzat described the exercise as peaceful and issue based, insisting that the APC remained focused on ideas and development rather than political hostility. He commended party members for maintaining order throughout the process and praised the maturity displayed by stakeholders during the exercise.
“It’s a competition of ideas. How do we move our people forward? We intend to develop the state and improve the lives of the people,” Hamzat reportedly said while addressing journalists after casting his vote in Epe Local Government Area.
The deputy governor further stated that the APC understood the developmental needs and history of Lagos better than opposition parties and promised that the ruling party would unveil detailed policies and programmes ahead of the general election. He insisted that the focus of the APC remained on continuity, economic growth, infrastructure expansion, and social development.
Hamzat’s political journey in Lagos spans decades. Before becoming deputy governor in 2019, he served as Commissioner for Science and Technology as well as Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure under previous administrations in the state. Beyond politics, he also built a strong professional career in engineering, finance, and corporate management, working with international firms including Citibank, Merrill Lynch, Morgan Stanley, and Oando Plc.
The 61 year old politician had previously contested the Lagos APC governorship primary in 2015 but lost to former Governor Akinwunmi Ambode. Over the years, however, he remained deeply involved in the state’s governance structure and became one of the most influential figures within the ruling party in Lagos.
Political analysts believe Hamzat’s emergence signals continuity for the APC in Lagos, where the party has maintained political dominance since the return of democratic rule in 1999. His candidacy is also expected to shape the political atmosphere in the state as opposition parties begin preparations to challenge the APC’s long standing control of Lagos ahead of the 2027 general election.
