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Ahead of the 2027 governorship election in Lagos State, the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, is beginning to witness early signs of internal strain following a series of coordinated endorsements backing Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat as the preferred successor to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

What initially appeared to be a routine political alignment within the party has, however, evolved into a wider conversation around internal democracy, candidate imposition, and the future balance of power within the Lagos APC, with some stakeholders expressing quiet but growing reservations about the process leading to Hamzat’s emergence.

The succession conversation gained momentum on Monday, April 27, 2026, when Governor Sanwo-Olu held a closed-door meeting with members of the Governance Advisory Council, GAC, and other key stakeholders at Lagos House, Marina.

Sources familiar with the meeting reported that Hamzat used the opportunity to formally declare his intention to contest the 2027 governorship election, a move that was immediately followed by the governor’s endorsement.

A senior party source who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said the endorsement was not entirely unexpected, but its timing sent a strong signal across the party structure.

“The governor did not mince words at that meeting. He made it clear that Hamzat has been part of the system, understands governance deeply, and has shown loyalty over the years.

“He emphasised that continuity in leadership is important for Lagos, and from his body language and remarks, it was obvious that he was presenting Hamzat as the natural successor. That alone changed the conversation within the party almost immediately,” the source said.

It was observed that within 24 hours of Sanwo-Olu’s endorsement, the GAC, widely regarded as the apex decision-making body of the Lagos APC, also formally backed Hamzat, further consolidating his position within the party.

The endorsement by the council did not come without prior signals.

It was also gathered that during earlier consultations with Hamzat, the chairman of the council had openly referred to him as “incoming,” a remark that sparked widespread speculation that the leadership had already settled for him ahead of any formal declaration.

Another party chieftain said that the GAC’s position effectively shaped the direction of the race.

“In Lagos politics, once the GAC takes a position, it carries enormous weight. What happened was not just an endorsement; it was a clear indication of where the leadership is leaning. That is why many people began to see the process as already concluded, even before other aspirants could fully engage,” he said.

The political momentum shifted further on Wednesday, April 29, when President Bola Ahmed Tinubu met with GAC members at the Presidential Villa in Abuja and endorsed Hamzat as the party’s consensus candidate.

It was gathered that the meeting, which lasted several hours, focused on succession planning in Lagos and broader party strategy ahead of 2027.

A source familiar with the outcome of the meeting told DAILY POST that Tinubu’s endorsement effectively cemented Hamzat’s position within the APC hierarchy.

“When the President gives his blessing, it goes beyond a simple endorsement. It becomes a directive in political terms.

“The message from that meeting was very clear, that the leadership is aligning behind Hamzat. For many within the structure, that was the final confirmation that the process had reached an advanced stage,” the source explained.

Further strengthening the endorsement chain, the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, also publicly backed Hamzat, despite earlier speculations linking him to the governorship race.

Checks further revealed that Obasa’s decision to support Hamzat followed consultations within party leadership circles, signalling a broader alignment among key power blocs.

However, despite the growing consensus among top party leaders, not all stakeholders within the APC are comfortable with the direction of events.

Some party members have raised concerns over what they described as a top-down approach to candidate selection, warning that it could undermine internal democracy if not carefully managed.

A senior APC member, expressed concern over the speed of the endorsements.

The issue is not about Hamzat as a person; many people agree that he is experienced and understands governance.

“The concern is about the process. When endorsements come this early and in such a coordinated manner, it creates the impression that the outcome has already been decided.

“That is where you begin to have discontent among those who believe the party should allow a level playing field,” he said.

It was gathered that the issue of consensus versus direct primaries has now become a major point of contention within the party.

One of the aspirants, Abdul-Azeez Olajide Adediran, popularly known as Jandor, has openly rejected the idea of adopting a consensus candidate, insisting that the party must follow due process.

Speaking recently, he stated: “The party will not adopt any consensus arrangement for the governorship ticket.

“There will be direct primaries where every aspirant will have the opportunity to test their popularity and acceptance among party members. That is the only way to ensure fairness, transparency, and unity after the primaries.

“Anything short of that could create avoidable divisions within the party.”

Meanwhile, Jandor announced his withdrawal from the governorship race on Thursday while addressing the media, leaders of the Lagos4Lagos Movement, and his supporters at Liberty House, Adeniyi Jones Secretariat in Ikeja.

Another aspirant, Dr Samuel Mawuyon Ajose, has also entered the race after obtaining nomination forms, reinforcing the position that the contest remains open despite the wave of endorsements.

Beyond the procedural concerns, it was gathered that some stakeholders are also raising broader political arguments regarding succession and inclusiveness within the party.

According to a party insider, there are concerns in certain quarters about the optics of transitioning directly from deputy governor to governor after eight years in office.

“Some people feel that after serving as deputy for two terms, there should be room for others from other districts within the party to aspire and contribute at that level. It is not necessarily about competence; it is about giving others a sense of belonging and participation.

“Politics is also about balancing interests, not just rewarding loyalty,” the source said.

However, others within the party strongly disagree with this line of argument, insisting that experience and continuity should be prioritised.

Another APC stakeholder said: “Governance is not something you experiment with. If someone has spent eight years in the system, understands how things work, and has been part of decision-making, that should be seen as an advantage. Lagos is too important to gamble with, so continuity is a strong factor that cannot be ignored.”

It is observed that the unfolding developments reflect a familiar pattern in Lagos politics, where leadership transitions are often shaped by elite consensus rather than open contestation.

Political analysts say the current situation is part of early-stage political positioning, where endorsements serve as signals rather than final outcomes.

In a recent chat, a Lagos-based political analyst, Segun Adawale Jimoh, also known as Bob Jay in Ikeja Local Government Area said: “What you are seeing is not necessarily a crisis, but a process. In Lagos, decisions are usually taken at the top and then managed downwards. However, what makes this situation interesting is the timing and the level of visibility.