- Tajudeen Olusi, Chairman of the Governance Advisory Council (GAC), maintains that the endorsement of Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat represents the “collective wisdom” of party leadership but does not bypass the mandatory primary election.
- The council defended its decision by citing long-standing political traditions in Lagos, noting that consensus among leaders has played a key role in selecting candidates since the eras of the Action Group and the Unity Party of Nigeria.
- High-profile figures, including Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Senator Tokunbo Abiru, Speaker Mudasiru Obasa, and former Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, have reportedly aligned with the council’s position.
The leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State has moved to clarify the status of Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat following his recent wave of endorsements for the 2027 governorship race.
Eko Hot Blog reports that GAC Chairman Tajudeen Olusi emphasized on Thursday that while the council has recommended Hamzat, the final decision rests with the broader party membership through a transparent primary process.
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Olusi explained that the GAC’s involvement is a guiding mechanism designed to direct governance based on deep consultations.
He noted that this method was used to select past leaders like the late Alhaji Lateef Jakande. Despite the council’s preference, Olusi clarified that Hamzat has currently only obtained a form to be signed by members and has not yet been officially elected.
He likened the process to a job recruitment where stakeholders evaluate candidates before moving to a final ratification.
The endorsement has faced pushback from other aspirants, notably Samuel Ajose, who criticized the lack of inclusion in the decision-making process.
In response, Olusi urged aggrieved candidates to respect the wisdom of party leaders while acknowledging their democratic right to contest the primaries.
He pointed out that other projected aspirants, such as Speaker Mudasiru Obasa and Senator Tokunbo Abiru, have already set aside their ambitions to support the consensus choice.
The GAC’s position was further strengthened on Wednesday when Hamzat secured the endorsement of President Bola Tinubu following a visit by council members to the Presidential Villa.
As the 2027 political cycle begins to take shape, the party leadership insists that its guidance is meant to ensure stability, even as it maintains that the upcoming primaries remain the supreme authority for candidate selection.
