2027: Hamzat, Rhodes-Vivour, 15 others battle for Lagos governorship
The battle for the Lagos State governorship has intensified following the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) release on Saturday evening of the names of 17 candidates and their political parties for the February 2027 election.
Among those listed are the incumbent Deputy Governor and All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, and the African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, who are among the contenders seeking to succeed Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
Sanwo-Olu, who assumed office in 2019 after succeeding Akinwunmi Ambode, is expected to complete his second and final term on May 29, 2027. Ambode served only one term.
Other candidates on INEC’s list are Robert Otitoloju Sowore of the Accord Party; Kamarudeen Salawu of the Action Alliance; Oluwadamola Adesoga Sol-Nuyi of the African Action Congress; Bolaji Nasir Adewale of the Action Democratic Party; Adeoye Adelaja of the Allied Peoples Movement; Abiola Adeyemi of the Action Peoples Party; and Olurotimi Oluwapamilerui Odunaike of the Labour Party.
The list also includes Funso Doherty of the Nigeria Democratic Congress; Akinola Obadia of the National Democratic Party; Taiwo Onifade Ademoyegun of the New Nigeria Peoples Party; Joseph Adeola Onigbokun of the National Rescue Movement; Adedeji Doherty of the Peoples Democratic Party; Olaniyi Olufemi of the Social Democratic Party; Elijah Temiyope Taiwo of the Young Progressives Party; and Peter Helen Ojotule of the Zenith Labour Party.
The publication of the list marks another step in preparations for the 2027 governorship election, with candidates and their parties positioning themselves for the contest.
Recently, candidates of the APC, ADC, NDC and PDP participated in a youth engagement organised by The Platform, founded by Pastor Poju Oyemade, where they fielded questions on their proposed policies and programmes.
Hamzat and Rhodes-Vivour have also stepped up their engagements with religious leaders. Posts on their social media handles show that both candidates have met with prominent Christian and Islamic clerics, including Bishop David Oyedepo, Pastor Lazarus Mouka of The Lord’s Chosen Charismatics Renewal Ministries and Pastor Bolaji Idowu of The Harvesters as they seek to broaden their support ahead of the election.
