LAGOS, Nigeria – Former Governor of Lagos State, Akinwunmi Ambode, released a statement on Thursday, April 30, 2026, congratulating Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat on his selection as the All Progressives Congress consensus governorship candidate for the 2027 election.
Okay News reports that Ambode pledged to mobilize three million votes in Lagos for the re-election of Nigeria’s President, Bola Tinubu. The former governor described Hamzat as a committed party member whose adoption demonstrates over two decades of loyalty and hard work. “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 said.
Ambode said that the prosperity of Nigeria depends on Tinubu remaining in office. “I strongly believe that the greater prosperity of Lagos and indeed Nigeria is firmly tied to the continued governance of Mr. President,” Ambode said. “As Lagos APC, our mission should be to deliver at least 3 million votes for Mr. President and support other States in Southwest to deliver great results.” He added that the party must also return all its nominated candidates to the National Assembly.
The Governance Advisory Council, the highest advisory body of the All Progressives Congress in Lagos, unanimously adopted Hamzat during a meeting on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, following an endorsement from Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Monday, April 27, 2026. The 34-member council, led by its chairman, Tajudeen Olusi, resolved to purchase Hamzat’s nomination form for 50 million Naira ($35,714 USD). A delegation from the council then presented Hamzat to Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Wednesday, April 29, 2026.
Olusi said that the party will conduct primaries in accordance with All Progressives Congress guidelines, despite the consensus agreement. Following the meeting in Abuja, the 59-year-old Hamzat addressed the media regarding his candidacy. “Nobody is ready because the assignment is audacious. But what you have is experience. Having served as Deputy Governor of Lagos under Governor Sanwo-Olu, I’ve learned a lot. I know the room. I know where the kitchen is,” Hamzat said.
Hamzat has held the office of deputy governor of Lagos State since 2019 and previously worked as Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure under Ambode’s administration.
