Sanwo-Olu Backs Hamzat as Successor, Says Lagos Needs Continuity
By Dim Oba, LAGOS –Â As the political conversation around the future leadership of Lagos State gathers momentum, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has offered a personal account of his relationship with his deputy, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, describing him as a dependable partner whose experience and contributions make him a strong candidate to lead the state.
In a message reflecting on their seven-year working relationship, Sanwo-Olu recalled how Hamzat stepped aside from his governorship ambition in 2018 following consultations by party leaders, eventually agreeing to become his running mate ahead of the 2019 governorship election.
According to the governor, Hamzat had considerable public service experience and the political backing to pursue the governorship ticket but chose to support the party’s preferred arrangement.
Sanwo-Olu described the decision as an extraordinary demonstration of loyalty and political maturity, saying he had never forgotten the sacrifice.
“It takes a rare man to put down what he wants without nursing a grudge. Femi shook my hand and five weeks later, agreed to run beside me. I have never forgotten that,” he said.
Beyond the circumstances that brought them together politically, Sanwo-Olu said Hamzat had proved himself to be a committed partner in governance, particularly during challenging periods and the implementation of major infrastructure projects.
He cited the COVID-19 pandemic, the development of the Lagos Blue and Red rail lines and the opening of the Lekki Deep Sea Port as some of the defining moments in which his deputy played significant roles.
The governor emphasised that Hamzat’s contributions went beyond ceremonial responsibilities traditionally associated with the office of deputy governor, describing him as an active participant in policy discussions, project planning and government decision-making.
“In seven years, there has not been a single day I wondered whose side he was on. We have had one government, one direction, and one voice,” Sanwo-Olu stated.
He also highlighted Hamzat’s professional background, particularly his engineering experience and previous involvement in major infrastructure and public sector reforms in Lagos.
According to him, Hamzat’s record includes the construction of the Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge during the administration of former Governor Babatunde Fashola and the digitisation of government processes under the administration of former Governor Bola Tinubu.
Sanwo-Olu argued that Lagos requires an experienced hand capable of sustaining ongoing development programmes, particularly with major projects underway and the state’s long-term development master plan extending to 2052.
Addressing concerns about the state’s preference for political continuity and the emergence of leaders from an established political circle, the governor maintained that Lagos had developed a system of preparing leaders through experience and participation in governance.
He likened the state’s political succession arrangement to a relay race, where the outgoing runner and the incoming runner maintain speed before the baton is handed over.
“Lagos runs on a relay system. The baton is never passed to a runner standing still. You run at full speed inside the exchange zone, together, before the pass,” he said.
Sanwo-Olu described Hamzat as a product of this succession tradition, arguing that his familiarity with the state’s development priorities and government machinery places him in a strong position to sustain ongoing projects.
“What Femi presents today is not a campaign promise cooked up on a bus, it is the next leg of a race we have been running since 1999,” he added.
The governor’s remarks represent a strong endorsement of his deputy’s leadership credentials, presenting experience, loyalty, institutional knowledge and continuity as key considerations in determining the next phase of Lagos’ political leadership.
For Sanwo-Olu, the argument is not simply about supporting a trusted political ally but about ensuring that Lagos does not lose momentum in its development journey.
His message, summed up in the Lagos development slogan, “The Lagos PROMISE”, is that the state’s future leadership should build on existing foundations while sustaining the pace of development.
