This is a massive development, and the timing couldn’t be more critical. On April 23, Speaker Mudashiru Obasa made it official during a visit from Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat to his residence in Ikeja.
​What makes Obasa’s statement particularly heavy is his reference to recent discussions in the capital. He explicitly stated”I just returned from Abuja, and the conversation remains the same – Dr. Obafemi Hamzat is the next Governor of Lagos State.”
​This suggests that the “anointing” isn’t just a local decision by the House of Assembly; it strongly implies that the top hierarchy in Abuja (the President’s inner circle) has reached a consensus.
Obasa’s endorsement is effectively a “soft power” move to clear the field. By publicly backing Hamzat, the Speaker who holds immense influence over the grassroots and the legislative machinery is signaling to other aspirants like Senator Tokunbo Abiru or Femi Gbajabiamila that the train has already left the station. Even Pa Tajudeen Olusi, Chairman of the powerful Governance Advisory Council (GAC), recently referred to Hamzat as the “incoming Governor,” further solidifying this front.
The rumors about Seyi Tinubu, and that is the “wildcard” everyone is watching. While Seyi has seen a surge in youth-led endorsements, the formal endorsement of Hamzat by institutional pillars like Obasa and the GAC suggests a strategic choice.
The Lagos APC seems to be leaning toward “technocratic continuity” with Hamzat, who has been the engine room of the Sanwo-Olu administration.
Many analysts believe the current move is designed to stabilize 2027, perhaps grooming Seyi for a more formal entry into the political fray in 2031 once he has more “political seasoning.”
​Remember, Obasa was once considered a potential candidate himself. By stepping down his own perceived ambitions and backing Hamzat, he has positioned himself as a “Kingmaker” rather than a contestant. This unity is crucial for the APC as they face a more emboldened opposition and internal calls from “indigene groups” who want the next governor to have deep, verifiable Lagosian roots.
With the APC governorship primaries set for late May 2026, the window for anyone including Seyi Tinubu to jump in and disrupt this “Hamzat momentum” is closing fast.
