Politics
Lagos APC Topshots Pencil Obanikoro As Hamzat’s Guber Campaign DG
in what party insiders described as a major strategic move
Musiliu Obanikoro has been penciled in as the Director-General of Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat’s campaign for the 2027 Lagos gubernatorial election, in what party insiders described as a major strategic move by top figures in the Lagos chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Hamzat, who is currently the Deputy Governor of Lagos State, recently emerged as the APC candidate to succeed Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu whose second term ends in 2027.
The Deputy Governor is widely regarded within the party as a technocrat with deep experience in governance, having played key roles in several developmental initiatives of the Sanwo-Olu administration, particularly in technology, infrastructure and public service reforms.
Sources within the party said the decision to draft Obanikoro into the campaign structure was reached after consultations among APC stakeholders in the state.
“Obanikoro has been penciled down for the DG role because of his experience in Lagos politics and his understanding of the grassroots,” a party source said, adding “The leadership believes he can help coordinate the political structure ahead of the election.”
Obanikoro, a former Senator and member of the Governance Advisory Council (GAC), had previously left the APC for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), where he participated in efforts to challenge the dominance of the Bola Tinubu political structure in Lagos. He later returned to the APC.
Another party insider said the move is being viewed in several quarters as a significant political comeback for the former Minister.
“His inclusion in the campaign arrangement shows he is back in the mainstream of Lagos APC politics,” the source said.
“It is also part of moves to strengthen the party ahead of 2027,” another disclosed.
Although the party is yet to make any official announcement on the campaign structure, discussions around the proposed appointment have continued to generate reactions within political circles in the state.
