Sanwo-Olu Praises Peaceful APC Primary, Publicly Backs Hamzat for Lagos Governorship

Lagos Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has praised the APC governorship primary as peaceful and transparent while publicly endorsing Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat as the party’s preferred candidate for the state’s next governorship race.

by folarin aluko

Babajide Sanwo-Olu has commended members of the All Progressives Congress in Lagos State for what he described as a peaceful, transparent and well-organised governorship primary election, while openly endorsing Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat as the party’s preferred candidate.

The Lagos governor made the remarks on Thursday after casting his vote during the APC direct primary exercise held at Ward E3, St. Stephens (WAEC) School on Lagos Island.

Sanwo-Olu arrived at the polling venue alongside his wife, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, at about 11:44am and participated in the exercise amid a noticeable turnout of party supporters and officials.

Speaking with journalists after voting, the governor praised party members for conducting themselves peacefully throughout the process and said the exercise demonstrated the APC’s commitment to internal democracy.

According to him, the direct primary system allowed party members across various wards to actively participate in selecting their preferred governorship candidate ahead of the next election cycle.

Sanwo-Olu also used the opportunity to publicly throw his support behind Hamzat, describing the deputy governor as a loyal and experienced leader capable of sustaining the administration’s development agenda in Lagos.

The endorsement is expected to strengthen Hamzat’s position within the ruling party as political activities gradually intensify ahead of the state’s next governorship election.

Hamzat has served as deputy governor since 2019 and remains one of the most influential figures within the Lagos APC structure. Over the years, he has played a prominent role in policy coordination, infrastructure development and governance initiatives under the Sanwo-Olu administration.

Political observers say Sanwo-Olu’s public endorsement signals continuity within the Lagos political establishment and could shape alignments within the party moving forward.

The APC continues to dominate Lagos politics, with the state remaining one of the party’s strongest political bases nationally.

As preparations for the next electoral cycle gather momentum, the outcome of the APC primary is likely to play a major role in determining the future political direction of Africa’s largest commercial city.