Ayomide Awe
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has revealed how his deputy, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, abandoned his governorship ambition in 2018 following a request by influential leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to pave the way for his emergence as the party’s candidate.
Sanwo-Olu said Hamzat, who had built considerable political influence and accumulated years of experience in public service, willingly stepped down from the race and subsequently agreed to become his running mate.
The governor described the decision as an uncommon demonstration of loyalty and political maturity, saying he had never forgotten the sacrifice made by his deputy.
Sanwo-Olu disclosed this in a statement shared on his X account on Friday while reflecting on their political relationship and seven years of working together in the Lagos State Government.
Recounting the events leading to the 2019 governorship election, the governor said Hamzat had every qualification to pursue his ambition, having served in government for 13 years under former governors Bola Tinubu and Babatunde Fashola.
He said, “Back in September 2018, Femi Hamzat wanted to be Governor of Lagos State. He had 13 years of public service under Asiwaju and BRF, with the record and backing to win. Then party leaders asked him to step aside for me.
“It takes a rare man to put down what he wants without nursing a grudge. Femi shook my hand and five weeks later, agreed to run beside me. I have never forgotten that.”
Hamzat withdrew from the governorship contest in September 2018 and reportedly urged his supporters to support Sanwo-Olu during the APC governorship primary.
Reflecting on their administration since assuming office in 2019, Sanwo-Olu said his deputy had demonstrated unwavering commitment to their partnership, insisting that their relationship had been devoid of the political rivalry often associated with governors and their deputies.
According to him, Hamzat had fulfilled his promise to become one of the most effective deputy governors in the state’s history.
“In many states, deputies are kept in reserve. On day one, Femi promised to be the best deputy governor in Lagos history. He kept his word.
“In seven years, there has not been a single day I wondered whose side he was on. We have had one government, one direction, and one voice,” he said.
The governor also credited Hamzat with playing significant roles in the state’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the execution of major infrastructure projects, including the Blue and Red rail lines and the Lekki Deep Sea Port.
He explained that Hamzat’s engineering background had been particularly useful in scrutinising technical aspects of government projects, noting that his deputy routinely raised critical questions before projects were completed.
Sanwo-Olu further highlighted Hamzat’s previous contributions to Lagos State during his tenure as commissioner for Science and Technology under Tinubu and commissioner for Works and Infrastructure under Fashola.
He specifically recalled Hamzat’s involvement in the construction of the Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge under the Fashola administration and the digitisation of government operations during Tinubu’s tenure.
Describing Lagos governance as a system built on continuity and succession, the governor said successive administrations had sustained a leadership transition spanning several decades.
“Lagos runs on a relay system. The baton is never passed to a runner standing still. You run at full speed inside the exchange zone, together, before the pass. That is how Lagos has been governed for 27 years, from Asiwaju to BRF, to Ambode, to me,” he said.
Sanwo-Olu’s remarks came against the backdrop of Hamzat’s emerging governorship ambition ahead of the 2027 election, following the unveiling of his manifesto, tagged The Lagos PROMISE.
The governor openly endorsed his deputy’s aspiration, arguing that Lagos needed continuity in governance, particularly with several infrastructure projects underway and a long-term development master plan extending to 2052.
He dismissed concerns that the state was recycling political leadership from the same circle, arguing that the succession arrangement represented the grooming of experienced public servants.
“Critics say Lagos keeps choosing from the same pool. I say Lagos trains its people. With major projects underway and a master plan stretching to 2052, this is not the time to experiment.
“Lagos does not hand the baton to a man standing still. Today, you have seen the man who is already running. Let us move forward together with The Lagos PROMISE,” Sanwo-Olu added.
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