Arise Television’s morning show anchor, Rufai Oseni, warned Lagos State Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat that his chances of securing the 2027 governorship hinge on the support of President Bola Tinubu. The comment was made on Monday during a live broadcast, following Governor Babajide Sanwo‑Olu’s recent endorsement of Hamzat as his preferred successor.
According to DAILY POST, Sanwo‑Olu announced the endorsement after a closed‑door meeting at Lagos House, Marina, where Hamzat formally declared his intention to contest the 2027 election before the State Executive Council and senior party officials. While the governor’s backing signals intra‑party favor, Oseni emphasized that Lagos political history shows no candidate can be certain of victory without Tinubu’s explicit approval.
“The historical antecedents of Lagos politics indicate that if ‘Baba’ has not spoken, Hamzat should not consider his position secure,” Oseni said. He added that endorsements from the Governor or the Governance Advisory Council (GAC) are not decisive without Tinubu’s public endorsement.
Oseni cited past events to illustrate the volatility of Lagos politics. He referenced the fallout between former Governor Akinwunmi Ambode and the party hierarchy, and the removal and later reinstatement of Lagos State House of Assembly Speaker Mudashiru Obasa—both incidents in which Tinubu’s influence was widely debated. “When it comes to Lagos politics, it has always been about ‘Jagaban’,” Oseni concluded.
The deputy governor’s campaign now faces the task of securing Tinubu’s backing ahead of the party’s primary schedule. Political analysts note that Tinubu’s endorsement typically consolidates party machinery, financial resources, and voter mobilization in Lagos, a state that serves as a key political stronghold for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
As the 2027 electoral calendar unfolds, Hamzat’s team is expected to engage with Tinubu’s camp to gauge potential support. The outcome will likely shape the APC’s internal dynamics and influence the broader political landscape in Nigeria’s most populous state.
