The governorship ambition of Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, received a major boost on Thursday as the Lagos State councils of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) endorsed his candidacy for the 2027 governorship election.
The endorsement came during the 2026 Workers’ Day celebration held at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan, Lagos, where labour leaders expressed confidence in Hamzat’s capacity to lead the state and pledged massive support for his bid.
Hamzat’s aspiration has continued to gather momentum following earlier endorsements from key stakeholders, including President Bola Tinubu, the Governance Advisory Council (GAC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and other party leaders.
Former APC governorship aspirant, Dr Olajide Adediran, popularly known as Jandor, had earlier withdrawn from the race in support of Hamzat, while former Governor Akinwunmi Ambode also congratulated him on emerging as the party’s consensus candidate.
The Lagos APC Chairman, Cornelius Ojelabi, Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, and other party chieftains have also backed the deputy governor’s ambition.
In addition, the Association of Waste Managers of Nigeria (AWAMN) recently declared support for Hamzat.
Earlier, the GAC purchased Hamzat’s nomination form after endorsing him as its preferred candidate. The form was later signed by 120 APC leaders and members drawn from the state’s 20 local government areas and 37 local council development areas.
Speaking on behalf of the labour unions, Lagos NLC Chairperson, Comrade Funmi Sessi, described Hamzat as a loyal, competent, tested and trusted leader. According to her, his victory would ensure continuity of the developmental strides recorded by successive administrations in Lagos, particularly under Governor Sanwo-Olu.
Sessi, however, used the occasion to demand improved welfare for workers, calling for an upward review of the state’s minimum wage from ?85,000 to ?225,000.
She said rising inflation, worsening economic conditions and the high cost of living in Lagos had significantly eroded workers’ purchasing power.
‘Lagos remains Nigeria’s economic nerve centre, where the costs of transportation, housing and feeding are exceptionally high,’ she said.
Representing Governor Sanwo-Olu at the event, Hamzat thanked workers for the confidence reposed in him and pledged not to disappoint Lagosians.
‘We will not let you down. The developmental trajectory of Lagos will be improved upon,’ he said.
Governor Sanwo-Olu also commended the leadership of the NLC and TUC for maintaining constructive engagement with government, assuring that his administration would continue open dialogue and collaboration with labour unions.
Speaking earlier after receiving the endorsement of President Tinubu and the GAC, Hamzat described his governorship ambition as audacious but said his experience as deputy governor had prepared him for the task ahead.
‘Nobody is ever fully ready because the assignment is audacious. But what you have is experience. Having served as Deputy Governor of Lagos, I have learned a lot.
‘I know the room. I know where the kitchen is. If you want to cook for people and you do not know the kitchen, no matter how good a chef you are, you must know the kitchen.
‘With God’s blessings and the support of all my fathers here, I have no fear,’ he said.