- Safiu Kehinde
The former Lagos state governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, has broken silence over the 2027 Lagos Governorship election following the endorsement of the current deputy governor of the state, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat by the All Progressives Congress (APC) leaders of the state.
NPO Reported that Hamzat had over the weeks garnered endorsements by several leaders of the party including the Lagos Governance Advisory Council (GAC).
The GAC who adopted the deputy governor would yesterday presented Hamzat to President Bola Tinubu as the group’s consensus candidate.
Reacting to the development in a statement issued on Thursday, Ambode congratulated the deputy governor over the endorsement.
The former governor commended Hamzat for his extensive consultation while describing his endorsement as a reflection of his loyalty, hardwork and dedication to the APC for over two decades.
“I join my fellow members of the All Progressives Congress to congratulate my brother and friend, Dr. Kadiri Obafemi Hamzat, on his emergence as the Consensus Governorship Candidate of our great party, the APC.
“Your deliberate and purposeful consultations with the Party hierarchy and all members of the Party have demonstrated you are a true Party man committed to the Party’s ideals and values of Unity and Progress.
“Your adoption as our Party’s consensus candidate is a reflection of your loyalty, hardwork and dedication to the party for over two decades.
“I am sure that our State will benefit immensely from your wealth of experience and skills in governance.” He wrote.
Ambode reaffirmed his commitment to support Tinubu’s re-lection bid and work towards delivering a landlside victory for the APC.
“As I congratulate Dr. Hamzat on his adoption, I restate my unshakeable commitment to support the re-election of our Leader, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.
“I strongly believe that the greater prosperity of Lagos and indeed Nigeria is firmly tied to the continued governance of Mr. President.
“I am confident that Mr. President’s vision and aspirations for our nation will yield bountiful returns and put us on the path of growth and prosperity.
“We are ready to roll up our sleeves and work to deliver landslide victories for our Party at both the State and Federal levels as the process unfolds.” He said.
Ambode disclosed that the mission of the Lagos APC is to deliver three million vote for Tinubu and other candidates of the party.
“As Lagos APC, our mission should be to deliver at least 3 million votes for Mr. President and support other States in Southwest to deliver great results.
“We must return all our Party-nominated Senators and Representatives to the National Assembly.
“By the grace of Almighty God, the best days of Lagos and Nigeria are still ahead of us.” He added.
NPO Reported that Ambode was seen to be the favourite of some party loyalists who believed he should be allowed to return to power to complete another term.
Recall that Ambode only served for one term before being replaced by Governor Babajide Sanwo-olu.