LAGOS, Nigeria (AP) — Dr. Obafemi Hamzat has emerged as the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State ahead of the 2027 election, following the party’s direct primary held across the state on Thursday.
Hamzat, who currently serves as deputy governor under Babajide Sanwo-Olu, praised the conduct of the exercise, describing the process as peaceful, transparent, and reflective of internal democracy within the APC. His victory in the primary positions him as the party’s standard-bearer in one of Nigeria’s most politically influential states.
Born in 1964, Hamzat is a technocrat and politician with a background in engineering. He studied at the University of Ibadan and later earned a doctorate in System Engineering from Cranfield University in the United Kingdom. Before entering politics, he worked in the private sector and held senior roles in Lagos State’s civil service.
Hamzat’s political career began in earnest when he was appointed Commissioner for Science and Technology in Lagos State, a role in which he spearheaded several digital reforms. He later served as Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, overseeing major road and housing projects. In 2019, he was elected deputy governor alongside Sanwo-Olu, and has since played a key role in policy implementation, particularly in infrastructure development and technology-driven governance.
His emergence as APC’s candidate is expected to shape the political contest in Lagos, a state that has historically been a stronghold of the party. Analysts say Hamzat’s candidacy reflects continuity in the APC’s governance style, while also signaling the party’s confidence in his technocratic credentials and political experience.
With the 2027 elections approaching, Hamzat’s candidacy sets the stage for what is likely to be a keenly contested race in Lagos, as opposition parties prepare to challenge the APC’s dominance in the state.
