The Chief of Staff to the President, Mr. Femi Gbajabiamila, has declared his support for the Lagos governorship bid of the state’s Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat.

Gbajabiamila endorsed Hamzat when the deputy governor, accompanied by prominent party leaders in the state, visited him at his Oniru residence on Sunday.

The visit formed part of Hamzat’s ongoing engagements and consultations with party leaders ahead of the 2027 elections.

Members of Hamzat’s entourage included a former Minister of State for Defence, Sen. Musiliu Obanikoro; Secretary of the Lagos APC Governance Advisory Council, Chief Mutiu Are; and Sen. Ganiyu Solomon.

Declaring his support, Gbajabiamila described Hamzat as a leader of great competence and capacity, expressing full confidence in his ability to take the state to the next level.

He said the deputy governor had demonstrated strong leadership both in his current role and in previous positions held in service to the state.

According to him, the party requires a performer like Dr. Hamzat in 2027 to sustain development and keep the opposition out of power.

“I thank you for coming here to solicit support; I do not take this for granted, as I see it as a mark of honour.

“You are someone I have known for years. You have demonstrated strong leadership as deputy governor, and I am in no doubt about your capacity to deliver.

“I know what you have done over the years, and I am confident you will follow the blueprint and elevate it further.

“The governorship election is a contest. There are many who are determined to wrest power, and to stop them, you need capacity, unity, and the ability to carry everyone along, which you have already begun to demonstrate.

“It is time to roll up our sleeves. We have an election to win and a state to govern and take to another level. I have no doubt about your capacity, and you can count on my support,” he said.

Gbajabiamila also conveyed the support of his Surulere constituency for Dr. Hamzat’s bid and urged party members to rally behind him.

Earlier, Hamzat said he visited Gbajabiamila to solicit support, as well as his advice and guidance.

He called on party members to safeguard the trust reposed in the All Progressives Congress (APC), noting that his ambition was centred on advancing the state’s development.

He said Lagos, as the nation’s economic hub, was too important to be entrusted to individuals he described as lacking governance experience, and called for continuity.

“Our nation has crossed that bridge. Our economy is better now, but we must not assume that everyone is satisfied.

“Those who have lost their privileges are not pleased; they are entrenched and well-resourced, which makes for a dangerous combination.

“Therefore, whatever is good must be protected. We must preserve the path laid by our President.

“We need to continue to demonstrate the process to our opponents, and I am confident we will win the election,” he said.

Hamzat thanked Gbajabiamila for the endorsement and his contributions to the growth of the party.

Also speaking, Obanikoro described Hamzat as a man of competence and integrity, expressing confidence that he would take the state to greater heights.

He urged party members to support the deputy governor’s ambition.

Gbajabiamila’s endorsement has effectively dispelled speculation that he was nursing his own governorship ambition.

Similarly, the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, who had also been mentioned as a potential contender, has endorsed Hamzat’s bid.