President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday endorsed Lagos State Deputy Governor, Obafemi Hamzat, as the All Progressives Congress (APC) preferred governorship flagbearer for the 2027 election, following a high-level meeting with the party’s Governance Advisory­ Council (GAC) at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Hamzat disclosed that the GAC delegation, led by its chairman, Tajudeen Olusi, presented him to the President, who gave his blessing to both his candidacy and the council’s consensus decision.

“These are fathers and leaders with vast experience. I am deeply honoured that they brought me to meet Mr President, who has blessed both me and the decision of the GAC,” he said.

On his readiness for the governorship race, Hamzat acknowledged the scale of the challenge but expressed confidence in his experience as deputy governor under Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

“Nobody is ever fully ready because the assignment is audacious. But what you have is experience. I understand the system; I know how things work,” he said, using a metaphor to illustrate his familiarity with governance.

“With God’s grace and the support of our leaders, I have no fear,” he added.

The endorsement follows a series of coordinated political moves within the Lagos APC.

Governor Sanwo-Olu had earlier publicly identified Hamzat as his preferred successor, while the GAC unanimously adopted him as its consensus candidate after a meeting in Lagos.

The 34-member council also resolved to purchase his N50 million nomination form as a demonstration of full backing.

Speaking after the Villa meeting, Olusi dismissed dissenting views from some aspirants, including party chieftain Samuel Ajose, insisting that consensus-building remains a long-standing political tradition within the party.

“In politics, people are free to express opinions. But we have a system of consultation and collective decision-making,” he said.

Despite the endorsement, APC leaders reiterated that the party would still conduct governorship primaries in line with its guidelines.

The primaries are scheduled for May 21, 2026, while submission of nomination forms closes on May 4.

The GAC delegation to the Presidential Villa included Governor Sanwo-Olu and other key figures in the Lagos APC leadership, signalling a strong alignment within the party ahead of the contest.