Emmanuel lkpeama
Former Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, on Thursday publicly declared support for Deputy Governor Dr. Obafemi Hamzat ahead of the 2027 governorship election, describing him as the consensus candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
In a personally signed statement, Ambode congratulated Hamzat on his emergence, praising his consultations across party structures and commitment to the ideals of the APC.
“I join my fellow members of the All Progressives Congress to congratulate my brother and friend, Dr. Kadiri Obafemi Hamzat, on his emergence as the consensus governorship candidate of our great party, the APC,” Ambode stated.
He added that Hamzat’s emergence reflected years of loyalty, hard work and dedication to the party, expressing confidence that Lagos would benefit from his experience and leadership capacity.
The former governor also reaffirmed his support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027, saying the continued progress of Lagos and Nigeria was tied to the President’s leadership.
Ambode urged party members in Lagos to mobilise strongly for the APC, calling for at least three million votes for Tinubu in the next presidential election.
“As Lagos APC, our mission should be to deliver at least three million votes for Mr. President and support other states in the South West to deliver great results,” he said.
Meanwhile,an APC chieftain Abdul-Azeez Adediran, popularly known as Jandor, announced his withdrawal from the Lagos governorship contest following Hamzat’s endorsement.
Jandor said his decision was made in recognition of the prevailing political realities within the party and out of respect for unity and cohesion.
“This decision is not borne out of weakness or a lack of capacity, but out of strength, discipline, and a deep respect for party cohesion and unity,” he said.
He reaffirmed his loyalty to the APC and President Tinubu, pledging full support for the party’s direction on the Lagos governorship race.
Jandor also urged members of the Lagos4Lagos Movement and his supporters to align with the party’s chosen path, insisting that the movement’s ideals of equity, inclusion and a better Lagos remained alive.