Lagos APC Hamzat endorsement sparks internal rift as party members clash over consensus arrangement ahead of the 2027 governorship election
The Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has been thrown into heightened political tension following the endorsement of Deputy Governor Dr Obafemi Hamzat as the party’s consensus governorship candidate for the 2027 elections by the Governance Advisory Council (GAC).
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The announcement was made on Tuesday by GAC Chairman Prince Tajudeen Olusi, who stated that the decision was unanimous and reflected collective confidence in Hamzat’s leadership capacity.
The development marks a significant turning point in the unfolding Lagos APC Hamzat endorsement debate ahead of the next election cycle.
“We have adopted, we have all agreed, that Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, the current deputy governor of our state, is the consensus candidate of our party,” Olusi said, adding that members had pledged their support.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu backed the position, while also signalling financial and political support from key party stakeholders.
The endorsement follows similar backing from influential figures within the party, including Femi Gbajabiamila and James Falake, further strengthening Hamzat’s position within sections of the APC hierarchy.
However, the move has triggered resistance from rival aspirants, with Abdul’Aziz Adediran, popularly known as Jandor, insisting that the party has not formally abandoned its earlier directive for direct primaries.
Speaking through his media aide Gbenga Ogunleye, Jandor maintained that while leaders are entitled to personal opinions, no official change to the party’s primary election process has been communicated.
He stressed that any shift to consensus must be universally agreed upon and formally announced by the party leadership, warning against unilateral declarations.
Another aspirant, Samuel Ajose, also criticised the endorsement process, describing it as exclusionary and premature.
He argued that consensus requires the agreement of all contenders and urged the party to allow a full primary election to test candidates’ popularity.
Despite growing endorsements for Hamzat, Lagos APC Chairman Cornelius Ojelabi has previously maintained that the party has no anointed candidate, emphasising that all positions remain open for contest under direct primaries, while not ruling out consensus if collectively agreed.
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As competing interests intensify, the Lagos APC Hamzat endorsement has exposed widening divisions within the party, setting the stage for a potentially heated internal battle ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
