Lagos 2027:Ambode Hamzat emerge top runners….As Gbajabiamila, Muri-okunola, Alausa bow out

In a significant turn of events, three prominent aspirants and appointees of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu are out of the race to succeed Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu in 2027.

They are: Femi Gbajabiamila, Chief of Staff to the President; Hakeem Muri-Okunola, Principal Private Secretary to the President; and Dr Tunji Alausa, Minister of Education.

These three failed to meet the March 31, 2026, deadline set by President Tinubu for his appointees interested in contesting elective positions in 2027 to resign.

With this development, the governorship ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC) will now be hotly contested by former Governor Akinwunmi Ambode and current Deputy Governor Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, both from Epe.

Other aspirants include a former Governorship candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Dr Abdul-Azeez Olajide Adediran; Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Mudashiru Obasa; Senator representing Lagos East, Tokunbo Abiru; a member of the House of Representatives representing Ikorodu Federal Constituency, Mr Babjimi Benson; and leader of the SMA Gold Movement, Dr. Samuel Mawuyon Ajose.

Last week, it emerged that Hamzat had been endorsed by President Tinubu and some members of the Governance Advisory Council (GAC) to succeed Sanwo-Olu, at a meeting by southwest APC leaders with the President during the Eid holiday.

However, some other sources who were privy to the discussions at the meeting dismissed the reported endorsement as misleading.

According to sources. Ambode’s candidacy enjoys overwhelming public support, with various stakeholders within the party advising against dismissing the prevailing public sentiment.

Additionally, it was gathered that the Chief of Staff to Lagos State Governor, Mr Tayo Akinmade Ayinde (Buffalo) is a strong contender for the APC Lagos West Senatorial ticket, while Obasa may continue as Speaker. If that happens, he will become one of the longest-serving Speakers of state assemblies in Nigeria.

As the situation unfolds within the ruling party in the state, all eyes will be on the developments ahead.