The All Progressives Congress is reportedly leaning toward adopting a consensus strategy that could see Lagos State Deputy Governor, Obafemi Hamzat, emerge as its governorship candidate for the 2027 election in Lagos.
Party insiders also indicate growing support for Olamilekan Adeola, widely known as Yayi, as the preferred candidate in Ogun State, while Sharafadeen Alli is being tipped for Oyo State.
These positions are said to have been shaped during a closed-door meeting between APC stakeholders from the three states and President Bola Tinubu in Lagos on Sunday night.
The gathering followed an earlier event where Tinubu hosted Vice President Kashim Shettima and 23 governors at his Lagos residence to mark the Eid-el-Fitr celebration. Sources revealed that after the festivities, the President held a separate, more strategic session with party leaders from Lagos, Ogun, and Oyo to map out plans ahead of the 2027 general elections.
According to the timetable released by the Independent National Electoral Commission, presidential and National Assembly elections will take place on January 16, 2027, while governorship and State Assembly elections are slated for February 6, 2027. Political parties are expected to conduct their primaries between April and May 2026.
Under the amended Electoral Act, parties can choose candidates either through direct primaries or consensus arrangements. The APC has historically favored consensus, often citing the electability and broad acceptance of such candidates.
Tinubu, who recently returned from a two-day state visit to the United Kingdom, is said to be using his time in Lagos during the Sallah break to address key political decisions, including succession plans in South-West states where governorship elections will be held in 2027.
Among those present at the high-level meeting were Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun, Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji, and Nigeria Revenue Service Chairman Zaccheaus Adedeji, among other key stakeholders.
A source familiar with the discussions said the endorsements of Hamzat, Adeola, and Alli followed extensive deliberations, reflecting both the views of those present and the perceived popularity of the aspirants in their respective states. The source also noted that the recommendations presented to the President were based on groundwork laid during an earlier strategy meeting held at the residence of the Senate Leader in Abuja weeks before.
