Lagos Governorship Race Narrows to Ambode and Hamzat as Top Presidential Aides Exit Contest

The 2027 Lagos governorship race narrows as presidential aides exit. Former Gov. Ambode and Deputy Gov. Hamzat become the lead contenders for the APC ticket.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 20, 2026, 6:51 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Business Hallmark.

Narrowing Field After Resignation Deadline

The political landscape for the 2027 Lagos governorship has shifted significantly following the enforcement of a March 31, 2026, deadline for political appointees seeking elective office. Femi Gbajabiamila (Chief of Staff to the President), Muri Okunola (Principal Private Secretary to the President), and Tunji Alausa (Minister of Education) have officially remained in their roles, ending their immediate gubernatorial aspirations. Consequently, internal All Progressives Congress (APC) permutations now center on a direct contest between the current Deputy Governor and the man Sanwo-Olu replaced in 2019.

The Case for Akinwunmi Ambode

Supporters of Akinwunmi Ambode argue that his return would balance the "religious equation" in Lagos. Since the return to democracy, a Christian-Muslim rotation has been a silent factor; supporters point out that between Tinubu, Fashola, Ambode, and Sanwo-Olu, a second term for Ambode would align with historical tenures. Proponents also cite his infrastructural record during his 2015–2019 term as a major electoral asset. However, he faces potential resistance from the Governance Advisory Council (GAC), the state’s highest party organ, due to friction during his previous administration.

Dr. Hamzat’s Growing Momentum

Dr. Kadiri Obafemi Hamzat is widely viewed as the "institutional" favorite, having served as Deputy Governor for two terms and holding a PhD in Engineering. He has received public endorsements from influential figures like Rep. James Faleke. Despite his experience, Hamzat faces challenges from "indigene" movements. Critics have pointed to his ancestral roots in Ogun State, where his father served as a traditional ruler, arguing that a "core Lagos indigene" should take the mantle. Pro-Hamzat groups counter this by highlighting his birth in Lagos and his long-standing service to the state's cabinet since the Tinubu era.