Dare Babalola
President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday endorsed the decision of the Lagos State Governance Advisory Council (GAC) to back Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat as the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate for the 2027 election in Lagos State.
The endorsement took place during a meeting between the President and members of the GAC at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, where party leaders formally presented Hamzat as their consensus choice for the governorship race.
The delegation, led by the GAC Chairman, Tajudeen Olusi, described the selection as a unified decision reached by leaders of the party in the state after extensive consultations.
The development comes a day after Hamzat publicly confirmed receiving the backing of the council, describing the endorsement as both “humbling and historic.”
“Today, I was honoured to receive the unanimous endorsement of the Governance Advisory Council (GAC) as the official APC Governorship candidate for Lagos in the 2027 elections,” Hamzat said in a post on Tuesday.
He expressed appreciation to party leaders for their confidence in him, noting that the endorsement places a significant responsibility on his shoulders.
“Receiving this endorsement from the apex leaders of our dear party is indeed humbling and historic. One I do not take for granted,” he stated.
Hamzat also thanked the GAC leadership for their support, pledging to remain focused on governance priorities.
“I am grateful to the Chairman, Alhaji Prince Tajudeen Olusi, and to the members of the Council for their trust and confidence in me,” he said.
“It is a responsibility I accept with all sense of humility, and I will continue to stay focused on what truly matters to our people, which is good and accountable governance.”
The endorsement follows growing political alignment within the Lagos APC structure, including support reportedly expressed by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and a unanimous adoption by the 34-member GAC, although some aspirants within the party have reportedly raised objections.
Despite the internal disagreements, party leaders maintain that the process remains inclusive and consistent with internal democratic practices.
The APC, however, has clarified that formal primaries will still be conducted in line with party guidelines, with the governorship contest scheduled for May 21.
