Lagos Speaker Mudashiru Obasa Abandons Governorship Ambition Following Tinubu and GAC Endorsement of Deputy Governor Hamzat

Lagos Speaker Mudashiru Obasa shifts focus to House of Reps after Tinubu and GAC endorse Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat for the 2027 governorship race.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 27, 2026, 6:04 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Naija News and Vanguard.

A Major Shift in the Lagos Succession Race

In a significant realignment of the Lagos State political landscape, Speaker Mudashiru Obasa has reportedly pivoted away from his long-held ambition to become the state’s next governor. Obasa had previously intensified his statewide consultations and revived the "Mandate Group"—a powerful political structure loyal to President Bola Tinubu—to bolster his gubernatorial bid. However, sources within the All Progressives Congress (APC) indicate that the Speaker has now recalibrated his objectives following a decisive consensus reached by the party’s top hierarchy.

Hamzat Emerges as the Preferred Candidate

The decision to settle on Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat as the preferred governorship candidate was reportedly reached by President Tinubu in consultation with the Governance Advisory Council (GAC), the most influential decision-making body within the Lagos APC. This endorsement effectively streamlines the succession plan to follow the current administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu. The move is seen as a strategy to maintain administrative continuity and reward the loyalty of the Deputy Governor, who has been a central figure in the state's governance for several years.

The Senatorial Block and Gender Representation

Following the closure of the gubernatorial path, Obasa initially set his sights on the Lagos West Senatorial District, currently represented by Senator Idiat Adebule. This ambition faced immediate pushback from the APC national leadership and the party's women's wing. Stakeholders argued that Senator Adebule, as the only female senator from the South-West geopolitical zone, is vital for maintaining gender representation within the National Assembly. To avoid internal friction and preserve this demographic balance, the party leadership resisted the Speaker's attempt to displace the incumbent senator.