The Lagos State Deputy Governor, Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, has emerged as the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 general election after winning the party’s primary election held across the state on Thursday.
The result was announced at the APC state secretariat on ACME Road, Ikeja, by the Chairman of the APC Governorship and House of Assembly Primaries Committee for Lagos State, General Jonathan Temlong (Rtd)
According to the committee, the primary election was conducted in 245 wards across Lagos State, with Hamzat polling 657,917 votes out of the 657,974 accredited voters. His co-aspirant, Lanre Jimi-Kamal, secured one vote.
The committee secretary, who presented the breakdown of the results, stated that Hamzat won in all 20 local government areas of the state, while Jimi-Kamal recorded his only vote in Epe.
Declaring the result, Temlong described the exercise as peaceful and orderly, while commending party members and officials for their cooperation throughout the process.
“The process was very smooth, and we enjoyed the cooperation of the local organising committee. The election took place in 245 wards in Lagos. Initially, three aspirants showed interest, but one, Samuel Ajose, later withdrew, leaving two aspirants to contest the primary.
“Obafemi Hamzat, having satisfied the requirements of INEC and polled the highest number of votes, is hereby declared the winner,” he said.
The Lagos APC Chairman, Cornelius Ojelabi, praised members of the primaries committee for successfully conducting the exercise and thanked party members for maintaining peace during the process.
Ojelabi also urged APC faithful to sustain the same level of discipline and peaceful conduct during subsequent party activities and elections.
In his acceptance speech titled “My Lagos Dream,” Hamzat said his ambition to govern Lagos was driven by a desire to deepen the developmental strides recorded in the state over the past 27 years under APC administrations.
The deputy governor reflected on his upbringing in Mushin, educational background, and experience in both the private and public sectors, including stints at global financial institutions such as Citibank, Merrill Lynch and Morgan Stanley before returning to Nigeria to work with Oando Plc.
Hamzat noted that he had served Lagos State for about two decades in various capacities, including as Commissioner for Science and Technology and Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, where he contributed to major projects and reforms.
He highlighted several landmark initiatives undertaken during APC administrations, including the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system, the Lagos Blue and Red Rail Lines, the Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge, automation of government processes and the ongoing Adiyan Water Works project.
The APC candidate pledged to focus on four major areas if elected governor in 2027 – service delivery, job creation, knowledge and skills development, as well as health and security.
“I will work for all Lagosians – the fisherman in Badagry and Epe, the trader in Oyingbo and Mile 12, the youths in tech hubs at Yaba, drivers, mechanics and hardworking residents across the state,” he said.
Hamzat also promised to sustain Lagos’ economic growth while building an inclusive society where citizens would be treated equally irrespective of religion, ethnicity or class.
He expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, members of the Governance Advisory Council (GAC), and APC members across the state for their support and confidence in his candidacy.
“With your support and the blessing of Almighty God, I know that we can rise to the challenge and keep Lagos working. Yes, we can and we will,” Hamzat declared.
