Sanwo-Olu backs Hamzat as successor, cites experience, continuity

By Adebola Muili

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has indicated his support for his deputy, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, to succeed him, describing him as an experienced leader capable of sustaining the state’s development trajectory and building on the achievements of successive administrations.

Sanwo-Olu made his position known in a lengthy statement published on his verified social media page on Saturday, where he highlighted Hamzat’s political experience, contributions to governance and loyalty throughout their seven-year working relationship.

The governor also defended the principle of political succession and continuity in Lagos, arguing that the state’s long-term development objectives require an experienced leader who understands its governance structure and ongoing projects.

Recounting the events that preceded the 2019 governorship election, Sanwo-Olu disclosed that Hamzat had initially expressed interest in becoming governor in 2018 but stepped aside following an appeal by party leaders.

He said Hamzat had accumulated 13 years of public service under former governors Bola Tinubu and Babatunde Fashola and possessed the experience and political support to pursue the governorship before the party leadership asked him to withdraw in his favour.

According to Sanwo-Olu, Hamzat accepted the decision without resentment and, five weeks later, agreed to run alongside him as his deputy, describing the gesture as an uncommon demonstration of political maturity and commitment.

The governor said he had never forgotten the sacrifice, adding that their relationship since assuming office had been built on mutual trust, cooperation and a shared commitment to the development of Lagos.

Reflecting on their time in government, Sanwo-Olu said Hamzat had remained dependable during critical moments, including the COVID-19 pandemic and the execution of major infrastructure projects such as the Lagos Blue and Red rail lines and the Lekki Deep Sea Port.

He particularly highlighted Hamzat’s engineering background and technical contributions, noting that his involvement in government extended beyond occupying the office of deputy governor.

Sanwo-Olu also recalled Hamzat’s previous contributions to the state, including the construction of the Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge under the Fashola administration and the digital transformation of government operations during Tinubu’s tenure.

He described Hamzat as a deputy governor who had distinguished himself through active participation in governance, rather than remaining in the background, as he noted that their administration had maintained a common direction and purpose.

According to the governor, Hamzat had promised on their first day in office to become the best deputy governor in the history of Lagos State, a commitment he said had been fulfilled through his dedication and partnership.

Sanwo-Olu further compared the political succession pattern in Lagos to a relay race, explaining that successive administrations had consistently built on the foundations laid by their predecessors.

He identified the transition from Tinubu to Fashola, Akinwunmi Ambode and his own administration as part of a 27-year governance tradition that had helped sustain the state’s development.

Addressing criticisms that Lagos repeatedly chooses its leaders from the same political circle, the governor argued that the state was not merely recycling political figures but developing experienced individuals capable of taking responsibility for its future.

He maintained that the ongoing major infrastructure projects and the state’s development master plan extending to 2052 made continuity particularly important at this stage of its development.

Sanwo-Olu argued that Hamzat’s potential leadership would represent a continuation of an established development agenda rather than an attempt to introduce unfamiliar policies without sufficient understanding of the state’s needs.

“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 stated.

The governor consequently called on Lagos residents and political stakeholders to support the next phase of the state’s development, expressing confidence in Hamzat’s preparedness to take on greater leadership responsibilities.

He concluded with a reference to the relay race analogy, declaring that Lagos should not hand over its development agenda to someone who was yet to understand the pace and direction of the journey.

“Today, you have seen the man who is already running. Let us move forward together with The Lagos PROMISE,” Sanwo-Olu said.