Ambode Reacts as Hamzat Emerges as APC Consensus Candidate for Lagos
- Former Lagos State Governor Ambode has endorsed Obafemi Hamzat as the APC consensus candidate for the 2027 governorship race
- Key APC leaders, including President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, support Hamzat's candidacy for Lagos governance
- Ex-Governor Ambode emphasised unity and commitment to 'President Tinubu's vision for a prosperous Lagos'
Legit.ng journalist Ridwan Adeola Yusuf has over 9 years of experience covering politics, elections, public affairs and governance in Nigeria and Africa.
Ikeja, Lagos State - Former Lagos governor Akinwunmi Ambode has described the series of endorsements of Lagos State Deputy Governor, Obafemi Hamzat, as the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) consensus candidate for the 2027 governorship race as a “big moment for Lagos and the APC.”
Legit.ng reports that several APC leaders, including President Bola Tinubu, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Mudashiru Obasa, Speaker, Lagos House of Assembly, and Femi Gbajabiamila, the chief of staff to the president, had endorsed Hamzat.
Source: Twitter
Ambode delighted for Obafemi Hamzat
Reacting via his verified X (formerly Twitter) account, Ambode congratulated Hamzat.
He said in his statement on Thursday, April 30:
“Congratulations to Dr. Kadiri Obafemi Hamzat on emerging as our party’s Consensus Governorship Candidate. Your years of loyalty, consistency, and service have rightfully earned this mandate.”
The one-term Lagos governor added:
“I remain committed to support the re-election of our leader, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.
“This is a call to stay united, disciplined, and focused on our collective progress. Our commitment to the party remains unwavering, fully aligned with the leadership and vision of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Now, the focus is simple: to secure victory and advance a more prosperous Lagos and Nigeria.”
Ambode’s letter can be read in full below on X:
Can Ambode return as Lagos governor?
Akinwunmi Ambode, who governed Lagos state from 2015 to 2019, lost the APC ticket for his re-election bid to incumbent governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu under controversial circumstances. However, after reconciling with President Bola Tinubu and other APC leaders, his name resurfaced in political circles, with some stakeholders projecting him as a possible successor to complete his second term before he eventually endorsed Hamzat.
Assessing Ambode's prospects of returning to power, political analyst and senior associate editor at The Republic, Yusuf Omotayo, told Legit.ng:
"I do not believe Ambode stands a chance as Lagos governor; that ship has sailed with this consensus. The next best thing is to align with the party actively in Lagos during the campaign season. This can earn him the head of a parastatal or ministry at some point, but for governorship in Lagos, it's dead."
2027 election: APC’s Jandor withdraws
In the same vein, on Thursday, April 30, a governorship aspirant on the platform of the APC, Abdul-Azeez Olajide Adediran, popularly known as Jandor, withdrew from the 2027 Lagos State governorship race, citing party cohesion and alignment with leadership directives.
Jandor announced his decision after obtaining the party’s Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms, which had signalled his formal entry into the contest.
Source: Twitter
He said the move followed the endorsement of Hamzat by President Tinubu and key party leaders in Lagos.
According to him, the withdrawal reflects “strength, discipline and respect for party unity,” rather than a lack of capacity or political ambition.
The Punch quoted Jandor as saying:
“I have decided to withdraw from the 2027 Lagos State gubernatorial race in recognition of the prevailing realities within our party.”
Jandor reaffirmed his loyalty to the APC and to Tinubu, describing the president’s leadership as central to the stability of both the party and the country.
Sanwo-Olu denies EFCC arrest lawsuit
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that the Lagos state government said Governor Sanwo-Olu at no time sued or briefed any legal practitioner to file a suit on his behalf concerning an alleged plan to arrest and prosecute him.
The government said it is "disingenuous" for Governor Sanwo-Olu, who enjoys immunity, to brief any lawyer on this kind of matter.
Source: Legit.ng
Nurudeen Lawal (Head of Politics and Current Affairs Desk) Nurudeen Lawal is an AFP-certified journalist with a wealth of experience spanning over 8 years. He received his B/Arts degree in Literature in English from OAU. Lawal is the Head of the Politics/CA Desk at Legit.ng. He previously worked at Lantern Books and Saraba Magazine. Lawal was named the Political Desk Head of the Year (Nigeria Media Nite-Out Award 2023). Lawal is a member of the Oxford Climate Journalism Network. He is also a certified fact-checker (Dubawa fellowship, 2020). Contact him at lawal.nurudeen@corp.legit.ng or +2348054399455.
Ridwan Adeola Yusuf (Current Affairs Editor) Ridwan Adeola Yusuf is a content writer with more than nine years of experience, He is also a Current Affairs Editor at Legit.ng. He holds a Higher National Diploma in Mass Communication from the Polytechnic Ibadan, Oyo State (2014). Ridwan previously worked at Africa Check, contributing to fact-checking research works within the organisation. He is an active member of the Academic Excellence Initiative (AEI). In March 2024, Ridwan completed the full Google News Initiative Lab workshop and his effort was recognised with a Certificate of Completion. Email: ridwan.adeola@corp.legit.ng.
