The Lagos State Deputy Governor, Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, has emerged as the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate for the 2027 general elections after winning the party’s primary election in Lagos State.
Announcing the result at the APC Secretariat in Ikeja, the Returning Officer, retired General Jonathan Temlong, declared that Hamzat secured 657,917 votes to defeat his only rival, Olanrewaju Jim-Kamal, who polled one vote.
Temlong disclosed that 657,974 party members were accredited for the exercise, which he described as peaceful and orderly across the state’s 245 wards spread across the 20 local government areas.
According to the returning officer, the primary election was conducted transparently and in compliance with the guidelines of the party. He also commended officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission for monitoring the exercise.
Providing a breakdown of the results, Temlong said Hamzat recorded 16,257 votes in Agege, 31,079 in Ajeromi-Ifelodun, 74,501 in Alimosho, 20,818 in Amuwo-Odofin and 5,430 in Apapa.
He added that the deputy governor secured 24,631 votes in Badagry, 37,680 in Epe, 28,754 in Eti-Osa, 33,861 in Ibeju-Lekki, 38,627 in Ifako-Ijaiye and 21,588 in Ikeja.
Hamzat also polled 55,148 votes in Ikorodu, 51,600 in Kosofe, 27,348 in Lagos Island, 49,079 in Lagos Mainland and 38,971 in Mushin.
Further results showed that he garnered 36,372 votes in Ojo, 31,972 in Oshodi-Isolo, 16,706 in Somolu and 17,495 in Surulere.
Temlong subsequently declared Hamzat winner of the governorship primary and the APC candidate for the 2027 Lagos governorship election.
The Lagos State APC Chairman, Cornelius Ojelabi, praised members of the national electoral committee and the local organising committee for what he described as a credible exercise.
He also commended party members for maintaining orderliness and demonstrating commitment to democratic principles throughout the process.
According to Ojelabi, the successful conduct of the primary reflected the unity and strength of the APC in Lagos State ahead of the 2027 elections.
He further disclosed that the party’s presidential primary election scheduled for Saturday would also be conducted through direct primaries across the 245 wards in the state.
In his acceptance speech, Hamzat expressed appreciation to Bola Ahmed Tinubu, APC leaders and party members for entrusting him with the party’s governorship ticket.
He pledged to sustain the APC administration’s development policies in Lagos State and promised to run an inclusive government if elected governor in 2027.
Initially, no fewer than four aspirants had indicated interest in the governorship race and purchased nomination forms before the party leadership endorsed Hamzat.
Two aspirants, Abdul-Azeez Adediran and Samuel Ajose, later withdrew from the contest.
Adediran stepped down after President Tinubu and the Governance Advisory Council endorsed Hamzat, while Ajose withdrew a few days before the primary election.
