Ahead of the 2027 governorship election, Obafemi Hamzat, Lagos State deputy governor and governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, has appointed former Minister of State for Defence, Musiliu Obanikoro, as the Director-General of his campaign organisation.
The appointment is widely viewed as a strategic move to strengthen Hamzat’s political structure as preparations for the governorship contest gather momentum.
Obanikoro, a seasoned politician with extensive experience in Lagos politics and governance, is expected to coordinate campaign activities, stakeholder engagement, grassroots mobilisation, and strategic outreach across the state’s 20 local government areas and 37 local council development areas.
Many political analysts view the choice of Obanikoro as a reflection of Hamzat’s determination to build a formidable political machinery capable of galvanising support across different demographic and political blocs in Lagos. Obanikoro’s long-standing involvement in Lagos politics, coupled with his network across party lines, is expected to enhance the campaign’s reach and effectiveness.
The development comes amid increasing political realignments within the Lagos chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), where Hamzat has continued to receive support from influential party leaders, youth groups, professional associations, and grassroots stakeholders ahead of the 2027 election cycle.
Observers note that the race to succeed incumbent Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu is gradually taking shape, with consultations and alliance-building already underway among key political actors. Hamzat, who has served as deputy governor since 2019, is widely regarded as one of the leading contenders for the state’s highest office, drawing on his experience in public service, technology, governance, and policy development.
Sources close to the campaign say the newly constituted organisation will focus on articulating Hamzat’s vision for Lagos, expanding engagement with community leaders, market associations, youth and women groups, professionals, and party faithful, while also consolidating support within the APC structure.
Political observers say the appointment of Obanikoro signals Hamzat’s intention to run a broad-based and inclusive campaign that leverages both grassroots mobilisation and strategic stakeholder engagement. They argue that the move could further strengthen his position within the APC as the contest for the party’s governorship ticket gathers momentum.
With less than a year to the commencement of major party activities ahead of the 2027 elections, attention is expected to remain focused on emerging alliances, endorsements, and political calculations that will shape the future leadership of Nigeria’s commercial capital.
