Lagos: Dr Obafemi Hamzat, the Lagos State Deputy Governor and 2027 APC gubernatorial aspirant, on Thursday emerged winner of the governorship primary in Lagos State.
Announcing the results at the Collation Centre at the APC Secretariat in Ikeja, the Returning Officer, Rtd Gen. Jonathan Temlong, said Hamzat polled 657,917 votes. He defeated his rival, Olanrewaju Jim-Kamal, who scored one vote.
He said the total number of accredited voters for the primary was 657,974.
According to the returning officer, the primary was conducted across the state’s 245 wards in the 20 local government areas peacefully because the exercise was a family affair.
He said the election was peaceful, transparent and conducted in compliance with the party’s guidelines.
Reeling out a breakdown of votes garnered by Hamzat in each of the local government areas, Temlong said the aspirant polled 16,257 (Agege); 31,079 (Ajeromi-Ifelodun); 74,501 (Alimosho); 20,818 (Amuwo- Odofin) and 5,430 (Apapa).
Hamzat also received: 24,631 (Badagry); 37,680 (Epe); 28,754 (Eti-Osa); 33,861 (Ibeju-Lekki); 38,627 (Ifako-Ijaiye); 21,588 (Ikeja); 55,148 (Ikorodu); 51,600 (Kosofe); 27,348 (L/Island); 49,079 (L/Mainland); and 38,971 (Mushin).
He said that Hamzat also scored 36,372 (Ojo); 31,972 (Oshodi-Isolo); 16,706 (Somolu), and 17,495 (Surulere).
Declaring the winner, Temlong said,
“Having satisfied the requirements of the APC constitution and guidelines, and having scored the highest number of valid votes cast, Dr Kadri Obafemi Hamzat is hereby declared the winner.”
He subsequently declared Hamzat as the duly elected APC candidate for the 2027 Lagos governorship election.
Earlier, the Lagos State APC Chairman, Cornelius Ojelabi, commended the national electoral committee and the local organising committee for their due diligence and applauded party members for their orderly conduct and commitment to democratic principles during the exercise.
Ojelabi said the successful conduct of the primary reflected the APC’s unity and strength in Lagos State ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He said that Saturday’s presidential primary would also be a direct primary held across the state’s 245 wards.
In his acceptance speech, Hamzat thanked President Bola Tinubu, First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, party leaders, and members for supporting his candidacy.
He also thanked members of the Governance Advisory Council (GAC), APC members across the 20 Local Government Areas and 37 LCDAs, and aspirants who stepped down in his favour.
“I want to assure everyone that you will not regret the confidence reposed in me. Together, we will continue to build a Lagos that works for all,” Hamzat said.
He promised to continue the developmental strides in the state laid by the president and successive administrations.
At least four aspirants expressed interest and bought APC nomination forms before Hamzat was endorsed by the party leadership.
Two of the aspirants, Abdul-Azeez Adediran, popularly known as Jandor, and Samuel Ajose, later withdrew from the race.
