Lagos State Deputy Governor and All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, has appointed former Minister of State for Defence, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, as the Director-General of his campaign organisation ahead of the 2027 Lagos State governorship election.
The appointment marks a significant development in Hamzat’s campaign structure as political activities gradually gather momentum ahead of the next election cycle in Nigeria’s commercial capital.
Obanikoro, a former senator who represented Lagos Central and a prominent figure in Lagos politics, has been one of the leading supporters of Hamzat’s governorship ambition. He has consistently endorsed the deputy governor’s candidacy and participated in several consultations and political engagements linked to Hamzat’s bid to succeed Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
The announcement comes weeks after Hamzat emerged as the APC’s governorship candidate for the 2027 election following the party’s primary election. The deputy governor secured an overwhelming victory in the exercise and was subsequently presented as the party’s flagbearer.
Political observers view the choice of Obanikoro as a strategic move aimed at strengthening the campaign’s grassroots mobilisation and consolidating support across key political blocs within Lagos State. The former minister is widely regarded as an influential political operator with extensive experience in electioneering and party organisation.
Hamzat has enjoyed significant backing from key APC stakeholders in Lagos, including members of the Governance Advisory Council (GAC), party leaders, and elected officials. Several party figures have publicly expressed confidence in his ability to sustain the developmental agenda of the current administration if elected governor in 2027.
The Lagos governorship race is expected to attract considerable attention as parties begin positioning for the 2027 general elections. Analysts say the early formation of a campaign structure underscores the APC candidate’s determination to build momentum ahead of the polls.
With Obanikoro now leading campaign operations, attention is likely to shift to the rollout of Hamzat’s political agenda and efforts to broaden support across the state’s diverse constituencies.
The 2027 governorship election is expected to be one of the most closely watched contests in Lagos, a state that remains a major political and economic centre in Nigeria.
