By Daniel Oluwatobiloba Popoola
Former Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, has endorsed Deputy Governor Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat as the consensus governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), while pledging full support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election bid and setting a target of three million votes for the President in Lagos.
In a signed statement issued in Lagos on Thursday, 30 April, 2026, Ambode said Hamzat’s emergence followed deliberate consultations between the party leadership and members, describing the development as a major step toward unity ahead of the next general elections.
He added that the endorsement reflected confidence in Hamzat’s years of service, loyalty and administrative competence.
The former Governor congratulated the Deputy Governor, saying his adoption as consensus candidate was the reward for more than two decades of steadfast commitment to the APC and its ideals of progress, discipline and cohesion.
According to Ambode, Hamzat remains a tested party man whose political growth and dedication to public service have earned him the confidence of stakeholders across the state.
He said, “Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat’s emergence is a product of deliberate and purposeful consultations. It is a reflection of hard work, loyalty and commitment to the values that have sustained our great party over the years.”
Ambode further stated that Lagos would benefit immensely from Hamzat’s experience in governance, policy formulation and grassroots mobilisation, stressing that the deputy governor possesses the capacity to sustain the developmental trajectory of the state.
Turning to the presidential contest, the former governor reaffirmed what he described as his unshakeable commitment to the second-term ambition of President Tinubu, insisting that the prosperity of Lagos and Nigeria is closely tied to the continuity of the President’s leadership.
He said, “I strongly believe that the greater prosperity of Lagos and indeed Nigeria is firmly tied to the continued governance of Mr. President. I am confident that Mr. President’s vision and aspirations for our nation will yield bountiful returns and put us on the path of growth and prosperity.”
Ambode charged the Lagos APC to begin immediate mobilisation for sweeping victories in all elections, saying party members must work tirelessly to secure landslide wins at both state and federal levels.
He set a minimum target of three million votes for Tinubu in Lagos, while also calling for the return of all APC-sponsored senators and members of the House of Representatives to the National Assembly.
Furthermore, he urged the Lagos chapter of the party to support other South-West states in achieving similar electoral successes, noting that regional collaboration would strengthen the APC’s national dominance.
Concluding his message, Ambode expressed optimism about the future of the state and the country.
“By the grace of Almighty God, the best days of Lagos and Nigeria are still ahead of us,” he said.
