President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has formally endorsed Obafemi Hamzat as the consensus governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State, signaling a major step in the party’s succession planning ahead of the next electoral cycle.
The endorsement was made during a high-level meeting with members of the Lagos Governance Advisory Council (GAC), the influential political body widely regarded as the apex decision-making group within the state’s APC structure.
The council delegation was led by its chairman, Tajudeen Oluyole Olusi, and accompanied by Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
Sources at the meeting indicate that Tinubu’s backing of Hamzat reflects a strategic move to maintain continuity within Lagos’ political architecture, while consolidating party unity ahead of what is expected to be a competitive election season.
Hamzat, who currently serves as deputy governor, has long been viewed within party circles as a technocratic figure with deep institutional knowledge of the state’s governance framework.
The GAC’s role in producing consensus candidates has historically shaped Lagos politics, often streamlining internal contests and minimizing factional disputes.
Tinubu’s public alignment with the council’s position effectively closes the door on potential intra-party rivalries, at least at the top level.
Governor Sanwo-Olu, speaking after the meeting, described the decision as one reached through “broad consultation and collective agreement,” emphasizing the importance of stability and policy continuity in sustaining Lagos’ development trajectory.
While the APC has yet to formally unveil its campaign timetable, Tinubu’s endorsement is expected to set the tone for the party’s mobilization efforts across the state.
Political observers note that with the backing of both the presidency and the GAC, Hamzat enters the race with significant structural and institutional advantage.
