By John Umeh
The Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Obafemi Hamzat, has initiated consultations with key political stakeholders, a move widely viewed as an early step toward the 2027 governorship contest.
Hamzat revealed via his account on X that he met with members of the Governance Advisory Council on Monday to discuss the future leadership direction of Lagos State.
According to him, the engagement focused on gaining insights and drawing from the experience of party elders. He emphasized that the meeting was part of efforts to listen, learn, and collaborate in shaping the state’s political future.
The development has intensified discussions around succession politics within the All Progressives Congress in Lagos, where candidate selection is traditionally influenced by internal consultations long before formal primaries.
The Governance Advisory Council, currently chaired by Tajudeen Olusi, is widely regarded as one of the most influential decision-making bodies within Lagos politics. The council includes prominent figures such as Bola Tinubu and Oluremi Tinubu, alongside other senior party stakeholders.
Observers say Hamzat’s meeting aligns with the traditional Lagos political structure, where aspirants begin quiet consultations years ahead of elections to build consensus and secure support.
Meanwhile, political commentary across social media has fueled speculation about the outcome of the meeting, with some unverified claims suggesting that support for Hamzat may already be gaining traction within the council.
Reports also indicated that Otunba Alebiosu, popularly known as “Bush,” was reportedly emotional during the gathering amid claims that Hamzat had received backing for the 2027 ticket. However, these assertions remain unofficial.
Earlier, a political group known as the Justice Forum had also endorsed Hamzat, further boosting speculation about his potential emergence as a consensus candidate.
With more than a year before formal political activities begin, Hamzat’s early engagement signals that maneuvering for Lagos’ top seat is already underway.
