Sanwo-Olu Reveals How Hamzat Stepped Aside for Him in 2018 Governorship Race

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has revealed that his deputy, Obafemi Hamzat, shelved his governorship ambition in 2018 after leaders of the All Progressives Congress requested him to help Sanwo-Olu’s candidacy.

In a message shared on his X account on Friday, Sanwo-Olu described Hamzat’s resolution as a outstanding show of loyalty and selflessness, noting that the deputy governor had the credentials, expertise and political help wanted to contest and presumably win the race.

According to the governor, Hamzat accepted the celebration’s resolution with out bitterness and later agreed to function his operating mate.

“Back in September 2018, Femi Hamzat wanted to be Governor of Lagos State. He had thirteen years of public service under Asiwaju and BRF, with the record and backing to win. Then party leaders asked him to step aside for me,” Sanwo-Olu mentioned.

He added that Hamzat’s willingness to desert his aspiration for the sake of celebration unity was a gesture he has by no means forgotten.

Hamzat finally withdrew from the governorship contest and endorsed Sanwo-Olu forward of the APC main election, urging his supporters to again the eventual governor.

Reflecting on their years in workplace, Sanwo-Olu mentioned the partnership between them has remained robust since they assumed workplace in 2019, stressing that he has by no means had trigger to query his deputy’s loyalty.

The governor praised Hamzat’s contributions to the administration, notably through the COVID-19 disaster and the implementation of main infrastructure tasks, together with the Lagos Blue and Red Rail Lines in addition to the Lekki Deep Sea Port.

He additionally highlighted Hamzat’s engineering background, saying it enabled him to play a important function in evaluating and overseeing key authorities tasks earlier than completion.

Sanwo-Olu additional famous that Hamzat introduced in depth expertise to authorities, having beforehand served as Commissioner for Science and Technology below former Governor Bola Tinubu and Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure through the administration of former Governor Babatunde Fashola.

The governor described Lagos governance as a steady relay of management, the place successive administrations construct on the achievements of their predecessors somewhat than beginning afresh.

His remarks come as Hamzat formally unveiled his governorship agenda, often called The Lagos PROMISE, forward of the 2027 Lagos governorship election.

Sanwo-Olu urged residents to help his deputy, describing him as a ready and skilled candidate able to sustaining ongoing tasks and advancing the state’s long-term improvement plans.

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