Lagos APC Leaders Endorse Deputy Governor Hamzat for Governor as Primary Rival Withdraws

Deputy Governor Hamzat gains 120 leader endorsements for his Lagos governorship bid as rival Jandor withdraws and former Governor Ambode offers support.

By: AXL Media

Published: May 1, 2026, 6:07 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from LEADERSHIP Media Group

Lagos Ruling Party Rallies Behind Deputy Governor Hamzat

The race for the Lagos State government house has taken a decisive turn as key figures within the All Progressives Congress formalized their support for Dr. Obafemi Hamzat. On Wednesday and Thursday, 120 verified party leaders and members gathered to sign the deputy governor’s nomination form, satisfying a core requirement of the APC electoral guidelines. This group represents a broad spectrum of the political establishment, including representatives from all 20 local government areas and 37 local council development areas. The coordinated effort signals a high level of internal cohesion as the party moves toward its official primaries scheduled for next month.

Elite Power Blocs Consolidate Support for Consensus Candidate

The signatures on the nomination papers include some of the most influential voices in Lagos politics, most notably members of the Governance Advisory Council. Along with local government chairmen and current public officeholders, these state and local executives have expressed a unified confidence in Hamzat’s ability to lead. According to party insiders, this consolidation of power is not accidental, as Hamzat has already secured the high level endorsements of President Bola Tinubu and Governor Babajide Sanwo, Olu. This alignment of the party’s top hierarchy suggests that the upcoming primary may be a formality rather than a contested battle.

Sudden Withdrawal of Major Rival Reshapes the Race

In a move that surprised many political observers, Dr. Olajide Adeniran, widely known as Jandor, announced his withdrawal from the governorship race on Thursday. His exit came less than 24 hours after he had purchased the mandatory nomination and expression of interest forms to contest on the APC platform. Adeniran’s decision to step down in favor of the deputy governor removes a significant hurdle for the Hamzat campaign. According to local reports, the withdrawal was a strategic shift that further cements Hamzat’s status as the undisputed consensus choice for the ruling party’s ticket.