2027 Lagos Gubernatorial Race: Who Will Succeed Sanwo-Olu? 

The Lagos political scene is buzzing as talks about Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s successor begin to surface. With 2027 still a few years away, names like Obafemi Hamzat, Mudashiru Obasa, Tokunbo Abiru, and Femi Gbajabiamila are quietly entering discussions.

Hamzat, the current Deputy Governor, is from a powerful family legacy rooted in Lagos politics. His late father, Oba Mufutau Olatunji Hamzat, was a founding member of the influential Justice Forum, which gives Hamzat a firm base within the political structure that has shaped modern Lagos.

Then there is Obasa, the longest-serving Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly. He commands immense grassroots support and is known for his resilience in overcoming political challenges. Obasa’s strong ties to local communities particularly make him a force to reckon with, not to mention his alignment with the Mandate Group further strengthens his position.

Other names, like Senator Tokunbo Abiru and Femi Gbajabiamila, the Chief of Staff to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, are also being mentioned as potential candidates. Abiru’s corporate ties and Gbajabiamila’s national profile add intrigue to the mix. But neither’s grassroots influence seems solid enough for them to contest against Hamzat or Obasa.

One thing that is clear from all the debates is that the 2027 race will not just be about personalities but also alliances. Lagos has never run on the personalities of individuals, so the grassroots and familiarity with them will certainly contribute to who emerges as the top dog. So, as the underground work begins, such strategic considerations will shape the landscape of campaigns.

As an African proverb goes, “When elephants fight, it is the grass that suffers.” Here, it is also obvious that the grass is why the elephants are fighting in the first place. But the people would only care about who best represents their interests, which is what all aspirants, whether out in the open or biding their time, should be bearing in mind now.