The All Progressives Congress (APC) is reportedly considering a consensus arrangement that could see the Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Obafemi Hamzat, emerge as the party’s governorship candidate for the 2027 election in the state.
Party stakeholders are also reportedly favouring the senator representing Ogun West and Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, Olamilekan Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, for the Ogun governorship ticket, while the senator representing Oyo South, Sharafadeen Alli, is being considered for Oyo State.
Sources who spoke with Punch said the development followed a meeting between President Bola Tinubu and APC stakeholders from Lagos, Ogun, and Oyo states in Lagos on Sunday night.
The meeting reportedly took place after Tinubu hosted Vice President Kashim Shettima and 23 governors at his Lagos residence during the Eid-el-Fitr celebrations.
According to insiders, the President and South-West party leaders later held a closed-door meeting to deliberate on strategies ahead of the 2027 elections.
One source said, “The choices of Hamzat, Yayi, and Alli were arrived at after a prolonged discussion with the President, taking into account the collective opinions of those present and the popularity of the candidates in their respective states.”
INEC Timetable Sets Stage For Primaries
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has scheduled the Presidential and National Assembly elections for January 16, 2027, while governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections will hold on February 6, 2027.
INEC also directed political parties to conduct their primaries between April and May 2026.
Under the amended Electoral Act 2026, parties may select candidates through either consensus arrangements or direct primaries.
The APC traditionally prefers the consensus model, citing its effectiveness in producing widely accepted candidates.
Despite Hamzat’s reported endorsement, several influential figures are also interested in the Lagos governorship ticket.
They include Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila; former Governor Akinwunmi Ambode; Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa; Chief of Staff to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Tayo Ayinde; and the President’s Private Secretary, Hakeem Muri-Okunola.
Others are Senator Tokunbo Abiru, Jide Adediran (Jandor), and Samuel Ajose.
Another source revealed that the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, is also lobbying to emerge as the consensus candidate.
“Though some online reports suggested he will resign to pursue the governorship, he has insisted on remaining in office and focusing on delivering the Renewed Hope agenda,” the source said.
Ogun Choice May Clash With Abiodun’s Preference
In Ogun State, Adeola’s emergence is said to conflict with the preference of Governor Dapo Abiodun.
“The governor seems to be backing Senator Shaibu Afolabi Salisu of Ogun Central, due to his role in Abiodun’s 2019 election.
“However, former governor and party leader, Chief Olusegun Osoba, does not support this choice,” a source said.
The report also suggested that former Governor Ibikunle Amosun may contest for the Ogun Central senatorial seat in 2027.
“The governor is reportedly seeking ways to compensate Salisu while paving the way for Amosun,” the source added.
Alli Enjoys Support In Oyo
In Oyo State, Alli’s candidacy is believed to have the backing of many APC stakeholders and the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, a former governor of the state.
Alli previously served as Secretary to the Oyo State Government and Chief of Staff under Ladoja before becoming chairman of Odu’a Investment and later senator representing Oyo South.
However, the meeting reportedly also recognised Remi Oseni, a member of the House of Representatives representing Ido/Ibarapa East, as a strong contender due to his grassroots support.
“The committee agreed to offer Oseni the Oyo South Senate seat as compensation, acknowledging his support base of over 200,000 members,” a source said.
The meeting also discussed the political prospects of the Minister of Power, Bayo Adelabu, who is reportedly interested in the Oyo governorship race.
Sources said party leaders expressed doubts about his ability to defeat the eventual candidate of Governor Seyi Makinde.
“Adelabu does not have the popularity to win the governorship against Governor Seyi Makinde’s anointed candidate,” a source said, citing the defeat of his candidate in a recent House of Representatives by-election.
“The state chapter of the party is divided over his candidacy, and Alli is seen as the only aspirant acceptable to all factions,” the source added.
Sources also said Adelabu had been advised not to resign from the cabinet without securing firm support within the party.
“He cannot just resign like that without an assurance that he will be the consensus candidate of the party,” one source said.
“Once he resigns, the President will appoint a replacement, and he may not have the chance to return to the cabinet.
“The power crisis in the country is not in his favour, and once he leaves and a replacement can solve some of the problems, Adelabu may not return,” the source added.
