By Sodiq Adelakun
Former Lagos State governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, and Lagos politician Abdul-Azeez Adediran have aligned politically behind Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat, significantly tightening his grip on the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship ticket ahead of the 2027 election.
The shift became more pronounced after Adediran, popularly known as Jandor, formally withdrew from the race on Thursday—barely 24 hours after purchasing the party’s expression of interest and nomination forms.
Explaining his decision, he pointed directly to the growing weight of endorsements within the party hierarchy.
“Following the endorsement of Dr. Kadiri Hamzat by our Leader, the President of Nigeria, and Leaders of our party in Lagos… I have decided to withdraw from the 2027 Lagos State gubernatorial race,” he said.
He insisted the move was strategic rather than forced. “This decision is not borne out of weakness or a lack of capacity, but out of strength, discipline, and a deep respect for party cohesion and unity,” he added.
Jandor also reaffirmed his loyalty to the APC and pledged to support the party’s direction, while thanking members of the Lagos4Lagos Movement for their consistent backing.
His withdrawal comes amid a wave of endorsements for Hamzat, led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and further reinforced by Ambode, who recently declared his support for the deputy governor.
The consolidation of backing from key political figures signals a strong push towards a consensus candidacy within the Lagos APC, traditionally influenced by the powerful Governance Advisory Council.
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However, the rapid alignment of party heavyweights has sparked quiet concerns among observers and some stakeholders, who argue that the unfolding scenario may limit internal competition ahead of the primaries.
With major contenders stepping aside and elite endorsements shaping the race, the Lagos APC governorship contest is increasingly taking the form of a one-directional succession battle—setting the stage for a politically charged build-up to 2027.
