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2027: Lagos APC divided over Hamzat’s endorsement as Sanwo-Olu successor

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Ahead of the 2027 governorship election in Lagos State, the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, is beginning to witness early signs of internal strain following a series of coordinated endorsements backing Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat as the preferred successor to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

What initially appeared to be a routine political alignment within the party has, however, evolved into a wider conversation around internal democracy, candidate imposition, and the future balance of power within the Lagos APC, with some stakeholders expressing quiet but growing reservations about the process leading to Hamzat’s emergence.

DAILY POST reports that the succession conversation gained momentum on Monday, April 27, 2026, when Governor Sanwo-Olu held a closed-door meeting with members of the Governance Advisory Council, GAC, and other key stakeholders at Lagos House, Marina.

Sources familiar with the meeting told DAILY POST that Hamzat used the opportunity to formally declare his intention to contest the 2027 governorship election, a move that was immediately followed by the governor’s endorsement.

A senior party source who spoke to DAILY POST on condition of anonymity said the endorsement was not entirely unexpected, but its timing sent a strong signal across the party structure.

“The governor did not mince words at that meeting. He made it clear that Hamzat has been part of the system, understands governance deeply, and has shown loyalty over the years.

“He emphasised that continuity in leadership is important for Lagos, and from his body language and remarks, it was obvious that he was presenting Hamzat as the natural successor. That alone changed the conversation within the party almost immediately,” the source said.

DAILY POST observed that within 24 hours of Sanwo-Olu’s endorsement, the GAC, widely regarded as the apex decision-making body of the Lagos APC, also formally backed Hamzat, further consolidating his position within the party.

The endorsement by the council did not come without prior signals.

It was also gathered that during earlier consultations with Hamzat, the chairman of the council had openly referred to him as “incoming,” a remark that sparked widespread speculation that the leadership had already settled for him ahead of any formal declaration.

Another party chieftain said that the GAC’s position effectively shaped the direction of the race.

“In Lagos politics, once the GAC takes a position, it carries enormous weight. What happened was not just an endorsement; it was a clear indication of where the leadership is leaning. That is why many people began to see the process as already concluded, even before other aspirants could fully engage,” he said.

The political momentum shifted further on Wednesday, April 29, when President Bola Ahmed Tinubu met with GAC members at the Presidential Villa in Abuja and endorsed Hamzat as the party’s consensus candidate.

DAILY POST gathered that the meeting, which lasted several hours, focused on succession planning in Lagos and broader party strategy ahead of 2027.

A source familiar with the outcome of the meeting told DAILY POST that Tinubu’s endorsement effectively cemented Hamzat’s position within the APC hierarchy.

“When the President gives his blessing, it goes beyond a simple endorsement. It becomes a directive in political terms.

“The message from that meeting was very clear, that the leadership is aligning behind Hamzat. For many within the structure, that was the final confirmation that the process had reached an advanced stage,” the source explained.

Further strengthening the endorsement chain, the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, also publicly backed Hamzat, despite earlier speculations linking him to the governorship race.

DAILY POST gathered that Obasa’s decision to support Hamzat followed consultations within party leadership circles, signalling a broader alignment among key power blocs.

However, despite the growing consensus among top party leaders, DAILY POST reports that not all stakeholders within the APC are comfortable with the direction of events.

Some party members have raised concerns over what they described as a top-down approach to candidate selection, warning that it could undermine internal democracy if not carefully managed.

A senior APC member, who spoke to DAILY POST, expressed concern over the speed of the endorsements.

“The issue is not about Hamzat as a person; many people agree that he is experienced and understands governance.

“The concern is about the process. When endorsements come this early and in such a coordinated manner, it creates the impression that the outcome has already been decided.

“That is where you begin to have discontent among those who believe the party should allow a level playing field,” he said.

It was gathered that the issue of consensus versus direct primaries has now become a major point of contention within the party.

One of the aspirants, Abdul-Azeez Olajide Adediran, popularly known as Jandor, has openly rejected the idea of adopting a consensus candidate, insisting that the party must follow due process.

Speaking recently, he stated: “The party will not adopt any consensus arrangement for the governorship ticket.

“There will be direct primaries where every aspirant will have the opportunity to test their popularity and acceptance among party members. That is the only way to ensure fairness, transparency, and unity after the primaries.

“Anything short of that could create avoidable divisions within the party.”

Meanwhile, Jandor announced his withdrawal from the governorship race on Thursday while addressing the media, leaders of the Lagos4Lagos Movement, and his supporters at Liberty House, Adeniyi Jones Secretariat in Ikeja.

Another aspirant, Dr Samuel Mawuyon Ajose, has also entered the race after obtaining nomination forms, reinforcing the position that the contest remains open despite the wave of endorsements.

Beyond the procedural concerns, DAILY POST gathered that some stakeholders are also raising broader political arguments regarding succession and inclusiveness within the party.

According to a party insider, there are concerns in certain quarters about the optics of transitioning directly from deputy governor to governor after eight years in office.

“Some people feel that after serving as deputy for two terms, there should be room for others from other districts within the party to aspire and contribute at that level. It is not necessarily about competence; it is about giving others a sense of belonging and participation.

“Politics is also about balancing interests, not just rewarding loyalty,” the source said.

However, others within the party strongly disagree with this line of argument, insisting that experience and continuity should be prioritised.

Another APC stakeholder said: “Governance is not something you experiment with. If someone has spent eight years in the system, understands how things work, and has been part of decision-making, that should be seen as an advantage. Lagos is too important to gamble with, so continuity is a strong factor that cannot be ignored.”

DAILY POST observed that the unfolding developments reflect a familiar pattern in Lagos politics, where leadership transitions are often shaped by elite consensus rather than open contestation.

Political analysts say the current situation is part of early-stage political positioning, where endorsements serve as signals rather than final outcomes.

In a chat with DAILY POST, a Lagos-based political analyst, Segun Adawale Jimoh, also known as Bob Jay in Ikeja Local Government Area said: “What you are seeing is not necessarily a crisis, but a process. In Lagos, decisions are usually taken at the top and then managed downwards. However, what makes this situation interesting is the timing and the level of visibility.

“The endorsements came early and were very public, which is why you are seeing reactions from different quarters.”

Despite reassurances from party leaders, there are growing concerns about the potential impact of internal disagreements on party cohesion.

“In politics, not all disagreements are loud.

“Sometimes, people simply withdraw their support or become less active. If that happens on a large scale, it could affect mobilisation and ultimately impact electoral outcomes,” another analyst said.

Before the endorsement of Hamzat, there had been growing calls for the return of former Governor Akinwunmi Ambode to complete a second term, largely to address the perceived imbalance in representation for the Epe Division.

Ambode succeeded Babatunde Raji Fashola in 2015 but was dropped in 2019 after falling out with key party stakeholders in Lagos State.

The state is structured into five administrative districts, collectively referred to as IBILE: Ikorodu, Badagry, Ikeja, Lagos Island, and Epe.

In recent political history, Bola Tinubu, Babatunde Fashola, and Babajide Sanwo-Olu all completed two terms of eight years each. Ambode, however, remains the only governor from Epe Division to have served just a single term.

Despite the agitation for Ambode’s return, it is understood that some members of the Governance Advisory Council, GAC, were not comfortable with the idea, influencing the decision to rally behind Hamzat.

Meanwhile, Ambode, on Thursday congratulated Hamzat following his emergence as the APC consensus governorship candidate.




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NDC deregistration: ‘Relax, wait for our next line of action’ – Kwankwaso to Obidients, Kwankwasiyya

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The vice presidential candidate of the Nigerian Democratic Congress, NDC, Rabiu Kwankwaso, has urged the teaming supporters of the party, particularly those affiliated with the Obident and Kwankwasiyya movements, to remain calm and await further action from the party.

Kwankwaso, a former presidential candidate of the New Nigerian Peoples Party, NNPP, made this statement during an interview that was posted on X on Wednesday.

DAILY POST reported that a ruling delivered by Justice Isa H. Dashen at the Lokoja Judicial Division effectively overturned the court’s earlier judgment from December 10, 2025, which had mandated the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to register the NDC.

The court explained that the previous ruling was annulled due to its impact on the legal rights of the Peace Movement Party, which asserted ownership of the logo utilized by the NDC but was not included as a party in the initial lawsuit.

The National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee of INEC, Mohammed Kudu Haruna, stated on Saturday that the commission is awaiting the official documentation before finalizing its response.

Speaking, Kwankwaso expressed disappointment that the court would base its decision on a lawsuit from a non-existent entity, the Peace Movement Party, to invalidate its prior ruling that required INEC to register the NDC.

“Anyone who examines the logo submitted to INEC[by the NDC] which features a victory sign with fingers, will see that it is entirely distinct from that of the APC. Therefore, as stipulated by law and the Constitution, the members of the NDC approached the High Court in Lokoja last December, and the court’s ruling, as anticipated, was that INEC should register the party since there was no significant similarity that would warrant the rejection of the application.

“From the end of December to date is six months. INEC did not appeal[the judgement] In the contrary, they decided to register the party. Meaning they did the right thing, and INEC has been attending all the programmes at all levels, ranging from the congresses to the national convention, and even the special convention that we held recently were all witnessed by INEC. 

“To our disappointment, we only heard that a group that applied for registration, also with INEC, which was rejected, went to the same court to the same judge and requested that our party be deregistered, and it was a very huge shocker to us as members, and even other well-meaning political parties, brothers and sisters, within and outside the country. It was a very big shock that the same judge in the same court decided to reverse himself because of some people who are not representing any registered party and who are not representing any registered or known organization in this country, just from the blues the same judge decided to reverse himself.

“As law-abiding people in this country, what we’ve decided, of course, is to go to court as soon as possible. I believe this coming Monday to make sure that the stakeholders are being asked to stay any action, and of course appeal so that the registration will be restored 

“So this is the opportunity to appeal to our supporters across the country and beyond, especially the young men and women who are in the NDC, our supporters in Kwankwasiyya and Obidient across the country to wait because we believe that good reason will prevail.”




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Politicians steal result sheets, risk lives of INEC staff – Amaechi warns

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The presidential running mate of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, Rotimi Amaechi, has accused politicians of stealing result sheets at unit level during polls.

Amaechi warned that politicians steal result sheets at the risk of the lives of ad-hoc staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.

Addressing a group of youths, the former Rivers State governor said: “On the day of election in your Ward and in your Unit, you  finish voting, you stand for the counting. I have been a politician all my life, I have never worked anywhere before.

“I left university in 1987 and joined politics that same year, so you won’t teach me, unit level is where they vote.

“Politicians steal result sheets at the unit level risking the life of the INEC adhoc officer. As he comes, show us the result sheet or you are not going because politicians don’t care about your life, some parents must stop their children who want to be adhoc staff.”

He charged Nigerians to always insist on their votes being counted at the polling units during elections.

He added: “If there is a result sheet, we will queue up and when they finish counting, if you don’t upload it you are not going

“If we finish the election and there are one million persons in front of INEC and trust me if you do all these, ADC can mobilize one million people to INEC office.

“Don’t forget that there is an election that would have been rigged in Nigeria, the election that made Kwankwaso governor, how many of you remember that, when they looked outside and saw 500 persons what did they do, they announced.”

SEE HERE




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You can’t stop Atiku’s presidential ambition – ADC Chieftain replies Wike

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A Chieftain of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, has expressed deep concern over the recent statement credited to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, where he boasted that former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, would never become President of Nigeria and that he possesses the political structure to ensure that such a presidential ambition fails again in 2027.

In a statement on Monday made available to journalists, Eze described the claim as unfortunate, childish, undemocratic, arrogant and reflective of a dangerous mindset that seeks to elevate one individual above the collective will of millions of Nigerians.

He stressed that in a democracy, no single politician, regardless of the position he occupies or perceived influence, possesses the power to determine who becomes President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The ADC chieftain therefore challenged the FCT Minister to explain to Nigerians the exact nature of the “structure” he constantly boasts about.

According to Eze, Nigerians should know whether the Minister is referring to a legitimate political structure built on the confidence, goodwill and support of the electorate or a structure allegedly anchored on the manipulation of state institutions, intimidation of political opponents, deployment of security agencies, abuse of governmental powers and other anti-democratic practices that have over the years undermined the sanctity of the electoral process.

“It is important that Wike tells Nigerians what he means by structure. Is it the structure of the people or the structure of power? Is it a structure founded on democratic principles or one built around the intimidation of opponents and the manipulation of institutions? These are questions Nigerians deserve answers.

He noted that the hardship, hunger, insecurity, rising cost of living and economic uncertainty currently confronting Nigerians have fundamentally altered the political consciousness of the electorate.

The ADC scribe stated that Nigerian people are increasingly determined to reclaim their country from leaders and political actors whose actions have contributed to the nation’s present challenges.

Eze maintained that the days when a few powerful individuals could sit in secluded political meetings and decide the fate of the nation are rapidly coming to an end.

He argued that the growing political awareness among Nigerians, particularly the youth, will make it increasingly difficult for any politician to impose his personal preferences on the electorate.

The ADC stalwart further reminded Wike that political influence is neither permanent nor absolute. He observed that history is replete with examples of individuals who once considered themselves indispensable political forces but eventually discovered that power belongs ultimately to the people.

He warned against the dangerous illusion of political invincibility, stressing that no politician remains relevant forever and that the electorate possesses the ultimate authority to reward or reject leaders at the polls.

Eze stated that many Nigerians are still grappling with the consequences of policies and political decisions of the current administration that have worsened their economic conditions and diminished their confidence in government.

He argued that rather than engaging in premature political chest-thumping, public office holders under the Tinubu regime should be focusing their energies on addressing the numerous challenges confronting ordinary citizens across the country.

He further emphasized that the 2027 presidential election will not be determined by boasts, threats, propaganda or political intimidation but by the collective judgment of Nigerians based on competence, credibility, vision and the capacity to rescue the nation from its present predicament.

The ADC chieftain expressed confidence that the army of patriotic Nigerians committed to democratic reforms and national development has provided a formidable platform – the ADC – a well-structured party, capable of challenging the current political order. He insisted that the political calculations that may have worked in previous election cycles cannot be relied upon as guarantees of future success.

“The unfortunate impression being created by Wike is that the destiny of Nigeria rests in his hands.

“Nothing can be farther from the truth. Nigeria belongs to over three hundred million citizens and not to one individual, no matter how highly placed. The occupant of Aso Rock in 2027 will be determined by Nigerians and not by the personal wishes of any political office holder,” Eze declared.

He warned that any political structure erected on arrogance, intimidation, manipulation and the abuse of state power will inevitably crumble when confronted with the united resolve of a determined electorate.

He stressed that Nigerians are wiser, more vigilant and more prepared than ever before to defend their democratic rights and ensure that their votes count.

Eze therefore advised Wike to abandon divisive rhetoric and clownish political grandstanding and instead focus on rendering effective service to Nigerians in his current capacity as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.

“Nobody owns Nigeria. Nobody has the monopoly of political relevance. Nobody possesses a private franchise over the Presidency of this country. The sovereign will of Nigerians remains supreme and will ultimately prevail over every scheme, every structure and every attempt to undermine the democratic choice of the people. The 2027 election will be decided by Nigerians and Nigerians alone,” Eze noted.




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