Lagos State Deputy Governor, Obafemi Hamzat, has emerged as the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for the 2027 governorship election, defeating his sole challenger at the party’s primary held on Thursday at the APC secretariat in Ogba, Ikeja.
Chairman of the APC national governorship primary election committee, Jon Temlong, announced that Hamzat polled 657,917 votes out of 657,974 votes cast, while Lanre Jim-Kamal, his only opponent, received one vote. A third aspirant, Samuel Ajose, withdrew from the race before voting began.
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“I hereby affirm that Dr Kadiri Obafemi Hamzat, having satisfied the guidelines set out in the party’s constitution, is returned as the winner of the governorship primary and the APC candidate for the 2027 election,” Temlong declared.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, former governor Femi Pedro, and members of the Governors Advisory Council (GAC), including Ganiyu Solomon, were present at the declaration.
The Agenda
In his acceptance speech, Hamzat unveiled a development plan he called “My Lagos Dream,” built around four pillars: service delivery, job creation, knowledge and skills development, and health and well-being.
On service delivery, Hamzat said his administration would free up more funding for public services while sustaining what he described as the biggest infrastructure investment programme in West Africa. He stressed that Lagos must protect its position as Africa’s leading commercial hub through strategic investments.
Job creation featured prominently in the agenda, with Hamzat promising policies designed to fast-track employment opportunities for young people, alongside support for entrepreneurs and industrial growth.
On the third pillar, knowledge and skills, he offered little detail in his speech but flagged it as a priority area. His fourth focus — health and well-being — centred on guaranteeing access to healthcare, water, and security for all residents.
Continuity and Inclusion
Hamzat framed his candidacy as a continuation of the work started by President Bola Tinubu and successive APC administrations in Lagos. He credited his years in government with preparing him for the role, pointing to infrastructure projects delivered during his time in office — among them the Bus Rapid Transit system, the Blue and Red rail lines, the Adiyan waterworks, and various roads and bridges.
“These are the arteries that pump the lifeblood of our economy. They require meticulous planning and a knowledgeable and experienced leader with a firm hand,” he said.
He was also pointed in his promise of inclusion, pledging to govern for all Lagosians regardless of their station.
“I will work for all Lagosians — the fisherman in Badagry and Epe, the trader in Oyingbo, Mile 12 and Balogun,” he said. “The hard-working driver, the mechanic, the hawker and young people trying to survive will not be forgotten.”
He added that the interests of the business community would also be protected, promising an environment where investments yield high returns in a safe and secure state.
The Road to 2027
Hamzat expressed gratitude to Tinubu, Sanwo-Olu, and GAC members, accepting the candidacy “with humility.” He described the 2027 elections as crucial not just for Lagos but for Nigeria as a whole.
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With the primary settled and a formal development agenda now on the table, attention will turn to how Hamzat translates the “My Lagos Dream” blueprint into a campaign strategy capable of consolidating the APC’s long dominance of Nigeria’s most populous state.
Philip Ibitoye is a Special Correspondent with EKO HOT BLOG. Click here to find daily analysis and critical insight on trending issues in Lagos and other parts of Nigeria.
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