- The race for Lagos Governorship in 2027 has begun heating up, with key contenders from the ruling APC and opposition parties hoping for the seat
- Seyi Tinubu, Mudashiru Obasa, Akinwunmi Ambode and Tokunbo Abiru are being touted as potential candidates for APC
- TheRadar examines how the buildup will be and those who stand a chance in the ruling party and the opposition
As Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, enters the final 30 months of his second term, political figures from both the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the opposition are already positioning themselves for the 2027 governorship election.
The battle for who will succeed Sanwo-Olu has ignited a flurry of activities, with key aspirants and groups vying for influence.
Leading contenders for Lagos APC ticket
Numerous high-profile figures within the APC are eyeing the Lagos governorship seat, with some already receiving public endorsements. Here are some of them:
Seyi Tinubu
The son of President Bola Tinubu has been gaining momentum with endorsements from various youth groups, including the Coalition of Nigerian Youth Leaders (CONYL).
His supporters point to his philanthropic work and entrepreneurial success as evidence of his readiness for public office. However, his candidacy has also drawn criticism from APC member Joe Igbokwe, who argued that the position of governor is too significant for someone "young" like Seyi.
It will be seismically unprecedented to have a father president and a governor son, especially with the indispensable socio-economic importance of Lagos but the fronting of groups to push the propaganda suggests that there is not limit to what is possible in Nigerian politics.
If any proof is needed, the Muslim-Muslim ticket that brought the elderly Tinubu into power is one.
Mudashiru Obasa
The longest-serving Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, also has ambitions for the governorship. Obasa, known for his strong grassroots support and deep ties to the Mandate Group, has denied that his aspirations are selfish, stressing his dedication to party-building.
Despite his position, he maintains that becoming governor is not his primary goal, but he does not rule it out. That is a modest submission by the Agege-born politician but after being the Speaker of Lagos State House of Assembly for over 9 years, the only position he can aspire to is the governorship.
With a track record of witnessing at least three administrations while being a lawmaker, he would fancy his chances and credentials in the battle for Lagos’ top seat.
But whether he can convince the party and powers that be is another issue entirely.
Akinwunmi Ambode
The ousted governor of Lagos has been suggested as a potential candidate to succeed his successor.
Some believe that he should complete the 16 years of Christian governance, a sentiment that could resonate with those advocating for religious balance in the state.
The brilliant accountant will also feel he has unfinished business after spending just a single term in office - the only Lagos governor to not spend two terms in office in the Fourth Republic.
Until either he serves a second term or is too old to contest, Ambode’s name will always pop up anytime Lagos’ apex political seat is being discussed.
Tokunbo Abiru
Abiru, representing Lagos East senatorial district at the National Assembly, is another figure being touted to land APC’s ticket ahead of 2027.
His robust private sector portfolio as well as experience serving as commissioner and senator give him an enviable flavour. However, politics in Nigeria takes more than just a shiny portfolio.
Opposition contenders: PDP and Labour Party
Jandor
On the opposition’s side, Abdulaziz Olajide Adediran, popularly known as Jandor, of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) remains committed to his ambition of leading Lagos.
After an unsurprising defeat in the 2023 elections, Jandor is recalibrating his strategy and seeking to unite key political players in the state to strengthen his chances.
Given that power has never left the same circle in Lagos since 1999, he knows that he has his work cut out for him.
Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour
The Labour Party candidate was the revelation of the 2023 gubernatorial election and his buildup to the election was the hottest voters had seen in a long time.
Despite not coming close to challenging the overall winner, he cannot be discarded yet and would fancy another shot at power in 2027.
His base of support, especially among young voters, remains strong, and has already become a topic of discuss despite 2027 being two-and-a-half years away, thanks to his Igbo roots - a flogging stick which is now being used on Seyi Tinubu because of his wife’s Igbo ancestry.
2027: Seyi Tinubu, senator, deputy gov emerge as frontrunners to succeed Sanwo-Olu
Meanwhile, TheRadar reported that the race for the Lagos State governorship in 2027 is heating up, with three prominent figures emerging as frontrunners to succeed Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
According to a report by ThisDay, Senator Tokunbo Abiru, Deputy Governor Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, and businessman Seyi Tinubu are all vying for the influential position.
