NEWS
Hamzat Strengthens 2027 Lagos Governorship Bid, Appoints Obanikoro as Campaign Director-General
As political activities gradually gather momentum ahead of the 2027 governorship election in Lagos State, the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, has taken a strategic step towards consolidating his campaign structure with the appointment of former Nigerian High Commissioner to Ghana and ex-Senator representing Lagos Central, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, as the Director-General of his campaign.
The announcement was made during an expanded meeting of the campaign council presided over by Hamzat on Wednesday, signaling the commencement of a coordinated effort aimed at positioning the APC for another electoral contest in Nigeria’s commercial capital.
Sources within the campaign council revealed that Obanikoro’s emergence was the product of extensive consultations and careful consideration of his vast political experience, grassroots influence, and proven record in electoral mobilization. It was also gathered that the appointment had received the backing of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu before it was formally unveiled by the APC candidate.
Party insiders described the former senator as a seasoned political strategist with decades of experience in governance, public administration, and election management. His appointment was reportedly welcomed across the campaign council, with members expressing confidence in his ability to coordinate a formidable campaign structure capable of delivering victory for the party in 2027.
Obanikoro remains one of the most recognizable political figures in Lagos State, having served in several key elective and appointive positions throughout his career. His political journey includes serving as Chairman of Lagos Island Local Government before being appointed Commissioner for Home Affairs and Culture in 1999 by then Governor Bola Ahmed Tinubu, a position he held for four years.
His rise in national politics continued when he was elected to the Senate to represent Lagos Central. Following his tenure in the National Assembly, he pursued the governorship of Lagos State under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) before later being appointed Nigeria’s High Commissioner to Ghana.
At the federal level, Obanikoro also served in the administration of former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, holding key positions as Minister of State for Defence and subsequently Minister of State for Foreign Affairs.
Political observers believe his wealth of experience, extensive network across Lagos political circles, and long-standing involvement in grassroots politics make him a valuable asset to Hamzat’s governorship project. As a former elected secretary of the influential Justice Forum and a respected figure within the state’s political landscape, Obanikoro is expected to play a central role in shaping campaign strategy, mobilizing party structures, and strengthening APC’s electoral prospects ahead of the 2027 race.
With the appointment, Hamzat appears determined to assemble a team of experienced political hands as preparations intensify for what is expected to be a highly competitive contest for the governorship of Lagos State.