The Lagos State chapters of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) have declared their support for the governorship aspiration of the Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Obafemi Hamzat, ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The endorsement, announced by the Chairperson of the NLC Lagos State Council, Agnes Funmi Sessi, and the Lagos State TUC leader, Abiodun Aladetan, marks a significant boost for Hamzat’s candidacy, reinforcing a longstanding pattern of organised labour’s alignment with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.

Over the years, labour unions in Lagos, particularly through the NLC and TUC, have played a strategic role in shaping electoral outcomes, often backing the APC and its predecessors dating back to the Alliance for Democracy (AD) and Action Congress (AC). This relationship has been sustained by a mix of political engagement, policy concessions, and institutional collaboration, which has enabled the ruling party to maintain a firm grip on grassroots mobilisation across the state.

This event occurred during the annual celebration of the 2026 World Labour Day, held at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena on Friday, where union leaders reaffirmed their confidence in continuity within the current political structure.

The latest endorsement also mirrors the position taken by organised labour in previous election cycles. Notably, the NLC and TUC threw their weight behind the Sanwo-Olu/Hamzat ticket during the 2019 and 2023 gubernatorial elections, contributing to the consolidation of APC’s electoral dominance in Lagos despite rising opposition and shifting political sentiments.

This development followed earlier endorsements from key stakeholders within the APC, including the Governance Advisory Council (GAC) and Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who publicly identified Hamzat as his preferred successor. The governor described the decision as a consensus aimed at ensuring continuity in governance and sustained development in Lagos State.

Further backing has come from prominent party leaders such as the APC State Chairman, Cornelius Ojelabi, and the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, alongside influential interest groups within the informal sector, including the Association of Waste Managers of Nigeria (AWAMN), which, like labour unions, has historically aligned with the ruling party during elections.

Political observers note that the endorsement by organised labour is not merely symbolic but reflects a deeper electoral reality in Lagos, where unions, particularly in transport, public service, and informal sectors, serve as critical mobilisation structures capable of influencing voting patterns at the grassroots level.

Reacting to the growing wave of endorsements, Hamzat expressed appreciation to supporters, reaffirming his commitment to building on the achievements of the current administration and advancing the development of Lagos State with “integrity, inclusiveness, and continuity.”