Lagos Politics Buzz: Hamzat Chooses Obanikoro To Steer 2027 Governorship Campaign

The appointment was reportedly announced during an expanded meeting of the campaign council held in Lagos.

Sources indicate that President Bola Tinubu endorsed Obanikoro’s selection during a recent engagement with APC stakeholders and party officials in the state.

The President was said to have expressed confidence in Obanikoro’s capacity to coordinate the campaign, citing his extensive political background, years of public service, and experience in both elective and appointed roles.

Obanikoro’s appointment is widely viewed as a strategic decision by the APC to strengthen its campaign with a seasoned politician who has deep knowledge of Lagos politics and strong grassroots networks.

A veteran politician, Obanikoro has spent decades in both state and federal politics.

He once contested the Lagos governorship election under the Peoples Democratic Party before later returning to the All Progressives Congress.

His public service record includes serving as Lagos State Commissioner for Home Affairs and Culture in 1999 during Bola Tinubu’s tenure as governor.

He later became Senator representing Lagos Central in 2003 after winning a National Assembly seat.

After completing a term in the Senate, he was appointed Nigeria’s High Commissioner to Ghana in 2008.

In 2013, Obanikoro joined the federal cabinet as Minister of State for Defence and was later moved to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where he also served as Minister of State.