Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has recounted how his deputy, Obafemi Hamzat, shelved his governorship ambition in 2018 after party leaders persuaded him to step aside in his favour.
Sanwo-Olu said Hamzat accepted the decision without resentment and subsequently agreed to run as his running mate in the 2019 governorship election, a gesture he said he has never forgotten.
The governor made the revelation in a post on X on Friday, describing Hamzat’s decision as a rare demonstration of loyalty, maturity and commitment to public service.
“Most of you know this story, but none of you have heard it from me,” he wrote.
Recalling the events of September 2018, Sanwo-Olu said Hamzat had a strong political and professional background that positioned him as a credible contender for the Lagos governorship seat.
“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.
“It takes a rare man to put down what he wants without nursing a grudge. Femi shook my hand and, five weeks later, agreed to run beside me. I have never forgotten that.”
The governor noted that while Hamzat’s professional credentials were impressive, his personal character and conduct behind the scenes were even more remarkable.
“Anyone can read a CV, but only the person in the room with a man when the cameras leave can tell you who he really is. For 2,711 days, I have been in that room with him,” he said.
Sanwo-Olu also praised his deputy’s contributions to the administration, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic and the implementation of major infrastructure projects across Lagos State.
He recalled Hamzat’s technical contributions to several projects, noting that his engineering background enabled him to provide valuable input even before their official commissioning.
“Long before any ribbon was cut, he was asking the tough questions an engineer asks,” he said.
The governor further described Hamzat as an exceptional deputy who had consistently demonstrated loyalty and commitment to their administration, unlike situations in some other states where deputy governors are often sidelined.
“On day one, Femi promised to be the best deputy governor in Lagos history. He kept his word,” he said.
“In seven years, there has not been a single day I wondered whose side he was on. We have had one government, one direction, and one voice.”
Drawing an analogy between governance and a relay race, Sanwo-Olu said political succession in Lagos had been built on continuity, experience and the gradual transfer of leadership responsibilities.
“The baton is never passed to a runner standing still. You run at full speed inside the exchange zone, together, before the pass. That is how Lagos has been governed for 27 years, from Asiwaju to BRF, to Ambode, to me,” he said.
Highlighting Hamzat’s credentials and experience, the governor described him as a seasoned administrator and technocrat with a track record spanning different administrations in Lagos.
“Femi is a deputy governor like no other. He built the Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge under Fashola, digitised government under Asiwaju and holds a doctorate in engineering. His father served Lateef Jakande. This is in his blood. Critics say Lagos keeps choosing from the same pool. I say Lagos trains its people.
“With major projects underway and a master plan stretching to 2052, this is not the time to experiment. What Femi presents today is not a campaign promise cooked up on a bus, it is the next leg of a race we have been running since 1999. Lagos does not hand the baton to a man standing still.”
Sanwo-Olu’s remarks come amid Hamzat’s unveiling of his governorship manifesto, titled “The Lagos Promise”, outlining his vision and policy priorities for the state.
The manifesto focuses on key sectors, including healthcare, education, job creation, infrastructure development, youth empowerment, security and inclusive governance.