Race to Alausa: Who will succeed Sanwo-Olu in 2027?- by Okunade Adekunle

The battle over who will succeed Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu in 2027 has taken centre stage in political discussions among politicians and residents of Lagos State.

This development comes as potential aspirants in the ruling All Progressives Congress and opposition parties such as the People’s Democratic Party, African Democratic Congress and Labour Party quietly lobby party leaders and mobilise supporters ahead of the primary elections.

Political analysts believe the aspirants may begin to openly declare their intentions after their parties’ national conventions, which must be held before May 31 in line with provisions of the 2026 Electoral Act.

In the All Progressives Congress in Lagos State, only two politicians — Abdulazeez Olajide Adediran and Samuel Mawuyon Ajose — have openly declared their interest in succeeding Babajide Sanwo-Olu, while several others are said to be quietly reaching out to political power brokers within and outside the state.

Adediran, popularly known as JANDOR, has intensified his mobilisation and consultations since his defection from the People’s Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress in 2025. He continues to rally support ahead of the 2027 governorship race through his loyal base under the Lagos4Lagos Movement, which operates with state, local government and ward coordinators. He hails from Lagos West (Badagry Division).

Another entrant in the race is Ajose, widely known as SMA Gold. He has recently drawn attention on the Lagos political scene through his political platform, the SMA Movement, which has spreaded across the state’s 57 council areas. Although his ambition only began gaining traction a few months ago, political observers say he should not be underestimated, noting that he comes from a division that has not produced a governor since the creation of the state. Like JANDOR, he is from Lagos West (Badagry Division).

The Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Obafemi Hamzat, is also being mentioned in speculations about who may succeed Babajide Sanwo-Olu in 2027. Hamzat is a well-known figure in Lagos politics, having spent many years in government. He served as Commissioner for Science and Technology and later Commissioner for Works under Babatunde Fashola between 2007 and 2015. He also contested the APC governorship ticket in 2015 but was unsuccessful, as the party eventually nominated Akinwunmi Ambode.

Hamzat, regarded as both a seasoned politician and technocrat, is a prominent leader of the Justice Forum (JF), one of the major caucuses within the All Progressives Congress in Lagos, with a strong grassroots presence across the state. Political observers believe his extensive experience in governance and party politics positions him as a potential strong contender in the 2027 race.

Also speculated to be eyeing the governorship seat is the Chief of Staff to the governor, Tayo Ayinde, popularly called BUFFALO. Though he has yet to formally declare his intention, sources close to him and within the Lagos APC believe he may join the race once the political atmosphere becomes clearer.

Aside from serving as Chief of Staff to Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Tayo Ayinde is also a prominent leader of the Mandate Group and a close ally of Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Politically, he serves as the Lagos Ambassador of the Renewed Hope Agenda 2027, an organised mobilisation platform supporting President Tinubu’s re-election bid. Although he has not formally declared his governorship ambition, his supporters have already established a mobilisation group known as the Tayo Ayinde Civic Clarity Initiative (TACCI) across the state’s 20 local governments and 37 Local Council Development Areas. Ayinde is from Lagos West (Ikeja Division).

Former governor Akinwunmi Ambode is also speculated to be planning a political comeback. Ambode governed Lagos State from 2015 to 2019, making him eligible to seek another four-year term. Political observers say he still retains a strong grassroots following, with loyalists reportedly mobilising support for a possible return in 2027. Ambode is from Lagos East (Epe Division) and was recently given a national assignment by the All Progressives Congress.

The Senator representing Lagos East, Tokunbo Abiru, is another name frequently mentioned in discussions about the governorship race. Abiru, a former Finance Commissioner under Babatunde Fashola, rose to prominence in 2020 when he won the senatorial by-election to replace the late Bayo Osinowo. Since then, he has been credited with several initiatives in education, youth and women empowerment, as well as the facilitation of infrastructure projects. However, the momentum around his governorship ambition appears to have slowed in recent months, fuelling speculation that he may opt to return to the Senate in 2027. He is from Lagos East (Ikorodu).

Also mentioned among potential aspirants is Hakeem Muri-Okunola, the current Private Secretary to President Tinubu. Before his appointment at the national level, he served as the Head of Service of Lagos State. Muri-Okunola is a familiar figure in Lagos political circles, having spent years contributing to the coordination and implementation of key government policies in the state as a senior civil servant. He is from Lagos Central (Island Division).

There is also speculation that the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, may be considering a run for the governorship. Gbajabiamila, a former Speaker of the House of Representatives, is widely regarded as an experienced politician with a deep understanding of governance and legislative processes. He maintains a strong political base in Surulere and is credited with several developmental initiatives, particularly in education, sports and youth empowerment. He is from Lagos Central (Surulere).

The Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, is also among those speculated to be interested in the Alausa Government House in 2027. A seasoned politician and grassroots mobiliser, Obasa began his political career as a councillor in Agege Local Government in 1999 before being elected to the state assembly in 2003. He has remained in the House since then and has served as Speaker since 2015. He also once served as Chairman of the Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria. Obasa commands considerable influence across the state’s local governments and is a member of the influential Governance Advisory Council (GAC), a key decision-making body within the Lagos APC. He is from Lagos West (Agege).

Despite the presence of these prominent political figures within the APC believed to be eyeing the Lagos governorship in 2027, political observers say the possibility of a “dark horse” emerging during the party’s primary election cannot be ruled out.