₦airaland Forum

Lagos 2027: Gbajabiamila, Muri-Okunola, Alausa Out Of Governorship Race

…APC Ticket To Be Hotly Contested By Ambode, Hamzat, Others

…Ayinde May Be Considered For Lagos West Senatorial Seat

In a significant turn of events, three prominent aspirants and appointees of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu are out of the race to succeed Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu in 2027.

They are: Femi Gbajabiamila, Chief of Staff to the President; Hakeem Muri-Okunola, Principal Private Secretary to the President; and Dr Tunji Alausa, Minister of Education.

These three failed to meet the March 31, 2026, deadline set by President Tinubu for his appointees interested in contesting elective positions in 2027 to resign.

With this development, the governorship ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC) will now be hotly contested by former Governor Akinwunmi Ambode and current Deputy Governor Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, both from Epe.

Other aspirants include a former Governorship candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Dr Abdul-Azeez Olajide Adediran; Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Mudashiru Obasa; Senator representing Lagos East, Tokunbo Abiru; a member of the House of Representatives representing Ikorodu Federal Constituency, Mr Babjimi Benson; and leader of the SMA Gold Movement, Dr. Samuel Mawuyon Ajose.

Last week, it emerged that Hamzat had been endorsed by President Tinubu and some members of the Governance Advisory Council (GAC) to succeed Sanwo-Olu, at a meeting by southwest APC leaders with the President during the Eid holiday.

However, some other sources who were privy to the discussions at the meeting dismissed the reported endorsement as misleading.

According to sources. Ambode’s candidacy enjoys overwhelming public support, with various stakeholders within the party advising against dismissing the prevailing public sentiment.

Additionally, it was gathered that the Chief of Staff to Lagos State Governor, Mr Tayo Akinmade Ayinde (Buffalo) is a strong contender for the APC Lagos West Senatorial ticket, while Obasa may continue as Speaker. If that happens, he will become one of the longest-serving Speakers of state assemblies in Nigeria.

As the situation unfolds within the ruling party in the state, all eyes will be on the developments ahead.

But they can still change their minds later. The president's deadline isn't contitutionaly binding on these people

When they already decided their fate.

Deputy governor should brace up for the plum job.

Mynd44:
But they can still change their minds later. The president's deadline isn't contitutionaly binding on these people

Hope Seyi has also resigned as the first son of the president to pursue lagos governorship election

Except by executive order. The deadline is fixed.

Mynd44:
But they can still change their minds later. The president's deadline isn't contitutionaly binding on these people

Mynd44:
But they can still change their minds later. The president's deadline isn't contitutionaly binding on these people

This directive, formalised in a circular from the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, ensures compliance with Section 88(1) of the Electoral Act 2026, prohibiting active appointees from serving as delegates or contesting primaries.

Ambode should not be considered at all.
He doesnt listen to people advice , he ran one man show during his first term.
Hamzat is preferable.

Mynd44:
But they can still change their minds later. The president's deadline isn't contitutionaly binding on these people

What you are saying tactically is that technically the president is a lame duck that his words are not respected or feared?

Under buhari when he gave that directive, even Amaechi resigned. Everybody with ambition for 2023 obeyed.

But now, since we have a criminal what do you expect?!!

The master plotter strategist founder of Lagos has not given them the go ahead 🤷🏿

Under the Electoral Act 2026 (specifically in the context of Nigeria's updated electoral laws passed in February 2026), Section 88(1) prohibits political appointees from serving as voting delegates or aspirants in any political party primary elections.

This provision is a direct carryover from Section 84(12) of the previous 2022 Act. Its primary purpose is to prevent conflicts of interest by ensuring that government officials do not use their positions or state resources to influence the candidate selection process.

Key Details of Section 88(1)

1. Resignation Requirement: Any political appointee (such as Ministers, Special Advisers, or heads of government agencies) who wishes to contest an elective office or vote in a primary must resign their appointment.

2. Compliance Deadline: For the 2027 general elections, the presidency issued a directive for all such appointees to step down on or before March 31, 2026, to comply with this section.

3. Enforcement: Failure to comply with this provision can lead to the disqualification of the candidate, as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is empowered to exclude candidates from parties that do not follow the Act’s primary procedures.

Appointees such as the Foreign Affairs Minister have already complied.

Mynd44:
But they can still change their minds later. The president's deadline isn't contitutionaly binding on these people

Normally anything that has to do with APC is not straight forward, so it's owkay if they decide to change their minds.

NO MORE BABA SO PE. IF THE TICKET IS GIVEN TO AMBODE.....IT MEANS THAT A CHRISTIAN WILL RULE FOR 16 STRAIGHT YEARS AS MUSLIMS IN TINUBU AND FASHOLA HAD RULED FOR 16 YEARS..................THEN SEYI TINUBU IN 2031. REASON AM

Omoboricash:
Ambode should not be considered at all.
He doesnt listen to people advice , he ran one man show during his first term.
Hamzat is preferable.

Just because he didn't share the state Treasury 🤷🏿

Kaycee9242:
Hope Seyi has also resigned as the first son of the president to pursue lagos governorship election

Delulu..

There’s no such thing as office of first son..

Kaycee9242:
Hope Seyi has also resigned as the first son of the president to pursue lagos governorship election

Una don come with una reasoning..

What abt the de facto president, Seyi Tinubu

That "lame duck" will rule you and your people for 8 years.

Nothing you can do but type on Nairaland

Tenses:
What you are saying tactically is that technically the president is a lame duck that his words are not respected or feared?

Under buhari when he gave that directive, even Amaechi resigned. Everybody with ambition for 2023 obeyed.

But now, since we have a criminal what do you expect?!!

Gbaja is chief of staff to the president.... Although it can't be compared to being governor of lagos but it's still OK..... Chief of staff no small oh

All these una unnecessary Wahala don tire me.

Hungerbad. There's hunger

AdolfHitlerxXx:
That "lame duck" will rule you and your people for 8 years.

Nothing you can do but type on Nairaland

Then don't let my 'typing on Nairaland' rattle you.

Omoboricash:
Ambode should not be considered at all.
He doesnt listen to people advice , he ran one man show during his first term.
Hamzat is preferable.

the one man show favors citizens all Lagos residents enjoy Ambode time, no agero, no lasman, no VIO, police, no road safety blocking roads in Lagos that time.

"rattle" ?

Am I the adult man bawling daily. Keep at it, it will reduce Tinubu's tenure by a second

Tenses:
Then don't let my 'typing on Nairaland' rattle you.

Gbaja is already a fulfilled man, politically. He should be gunning for something bigger IMO

Kaycee9242:
Hope Seyi has also resigned as the first son of the president to pursue lagos governorship election

Seyi has never been in the race, and hasn't even indicated an interest to run. You people are the ones doing unreal permutations

richiemcgold:
Gbaja is already a fulfilled man, politically. He should be gunning for something bigger IMO

If he is to go for something bigger, that means you should be contesting for presidential candidacy which is very unlikely. So rest.

Obasa wey don drop out from house of assembly race…JANES FAKEKE is pursuing SENATE seat and you know he’s ASUWAJU top boys even more loyal than OBASA

Omoboricash:
Ambode should not be considered at all.
He doesnt listen to people advice , he ran one man show during his first term.
Hamzat is preferable.

Did he perform excellently or not?

press9jatv:
Lagos 2027: Gbajabiamila, Muri-Okunola, Alausa Out Of Governorship Race

…APC Ticket To Be Hotly Contested By Ambode, Hamzat, Others

…Ayinde May Be Considered For Lagos West Senatorial Seat

In a significant turn of events, three prominent aspirants and appointees of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu are out of the race to succeed Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu in 2027.

They are: Femi Gbajabiamila, Chief of Staff to the President; Hakeem Muri-Okunola, Principal Private Secretary to the President; and Dr Tunji Alausa, Minister of Education.

These three failed to meet the March 31, 2026, deadline set by President Tinubu for his appointees interested in contesting elective positions in 2027 to resign.

With this development, the governorship ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC) will now be hotly contested by former Governor Akinwunmi Ambode and current Deputy Governor Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, both from Epe.

Other aspirants include a former Governorship candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Dr Abdul-Azeez Olajide Adediran; Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Mudashiru Obasa; Senator representing Lagos East, Tokunbo Abiru; a member of the House of Representatives representing Ikorodu Federal Constituency, Mr Babjimi Benson; and leader of the SMA Gold Movement, Dr. Samuel Mawuyon Ajose.

Last week, it emerged that Hamzat had been endorsed by President Tinubu and some members of the Governance Advisory Council (GAC) to succeed Sanwo-Olu, at a meeting by southwest APC leaders with the President during the Eid holiday.

However, some other sources who were privy to the discussions at the meeting dismissed the reported endorsement as misleading.

According to sources. Ambode’s candidacy enjoys overwhelming public support, with various stakeholders within the party advising against dismissing the prevailing public sentiment.

Additionally, it was gathered that the Chief of Staff to Lagos State Governor, Mr Tayo Akinmade Ayinde (Buffalo) is a strong contender for the APC Lagos West Senatorial ticket, while Obasa may continue as Speaker. If that happens, he will become one of the longest-serving Speakers of state assemblies in Nigeria.

As the situation unfolds within the ruling party in the state, all eyes will be on the developments ahead.

I think Hamzat is from Badagry, and not from Epe

Tinubu will choose Lagos governor. Anyone that is not satisfied should go back to his village