Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has recounted how his deputy, Obafemi Hamzat, abandoned his ambition to become governor in 2018 after party leaders asked him to step aside in favour of Sanwo-Olu.
The account offers a glimpse into the political negotiations and internal party dynamics that preceded the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primary in Lagos ahead of the 2019 general election.
According to Sanwo-Olu, Hamzat had his own ambition to lead the state but eventually withdrew from the contest after party leaders intervened and asked him to support Sanwo-Olu’s emergence as the party’s preferred candidate.
The governor’s account highlights the role that consultations among influential party figures can play in determining the direction of political contests, particularly in a state where the APC has maintained a strong political presence.
A Partnership Forged Before the 2019 Election
Sanwo-Olu emerged as the APC’s candidate for the Lagos governorship election in 2018 after defeating the then-incumbent governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, in the party’s primary.
He subsequently won the March 2019 governorship election, with Hamzat serving as his running mate.
The two politicians began working together as governor and deputy governor following their inauguration in May 2019.
Hamzat’s reported decision to step aside before the primary illustrates how political ambitions may be negotiated through party consultations, alliances and strategic compromises before candidates are formally presented to voters.
In party politics, such arrangements can help reduce internal divisions and consolidate support behind a candidate. They can also shape the relationships between political leaders long after the election has been concluded.
The Significance of Political Loyalty
Sanwo-Olu’s recollection draws attention to the political relationship between the two men and the circumstances surrounding the formation of their joint ticket.
Hamzat’s withdrawal, as described by the governor, suggests that party leaders considered Sanwo-Olu’s candidacy the preferred option at the time and sought Hamzat’s cooperation in achieving that outcome.
However, the decision to step aside should not automatically be interpreted as evidence of a lack of ambition or political influence on Hamzat’s part. His subsequent position as deputy governor placed him at the centre of the Lagos State administration.
The account also illustrates the importance of party structures in Nigeria’s electoral system, where candidates often have to navigate negotiations with party leaders, influential stakeholders and competing aspirants before securing a nomination.
Sanwo-Olu’s remarks provide an opportunity to revisit the events that shaped the APC’s Lagos governorship ticket ahead of the 2019 election.