JUST IN: Lagos 2027: Zoning Speculations Intensify as Ambode, Abiru, Others Tipped For APC Ticket
JUST IN: Lagos 2027: Zoning Speculations Intensify as Ambode, Abiru, Others Tipped For APC Ticket
Polîtîcal activities ahead of the 2027 governorship election in Lagos State are gradually gathering momentum following a directive by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu mandating political appointees with aspirations for elective offices to resign on or before March 31.
The directive has triggered heightened political consultations and permutations across the state, with observers and party insiders speculating on possible zoning arrangements and likely contenders for the governorship ticket of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Political observers say emerging permutations within the party suggest that the governorship ticket may likely be zoned to the Lagos East Senatorial District. The development has placed several prominent political figures from the zone in early discussions for the party’s ticket.
Among those frequently mentioned in political circles are former governor of Lagos State Akinwunmi Ambode, senator representing Lagos East, Adetokunbo Abiru, Minister of State for Health, Tunji Alausa, and member of the House of Representatives, Jimi Benson.
Others are Hakeem Muri Okunola (HMO), a lawyer and Principal Secretary to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Femi Gbajabiamila, a lawyer too and former Speaker of the House of Reps of Nigeria
However, party sources maintained that consultations are still ongoing and that the party leadership has yet to make any official pronouncement on zoning.
There are also indications that the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, may feature prominently in the unfolding political permutations, with speculations suggesting he could represent the Lagos West Senatorial District in a strategic power-sharing arrangement within the party.
Lagos West Intensifies Push for Deputy Governorship
Meanwhile, attention has also turned to the deputy governorship position, with political watchers suggesting that the slot may likely be zoned to Lagos West Senatorial District as part of a broader political balancing formula within the state.
The possibility has triggered intense lobbying across the Lagos West axis, particularly within the Badagry Division and other political blocs in the district, where stakeholders are said to be mounting strong consultations aimed at ensuring the zone secures the number two position in the state.
Party insiders say leaders and political stakeholders from Lagos West have stepped up behind-the-scenes engagements within the APC structures, arguing that the senatorial district, the largest and politically most expansive in the state, deserves greater representation in the state’s top executive leadership.
The agitation has reportedly drawn the involvement of major party blocs within the APC, including the influential Justice Forum and the Mandate Political Structures, both of which have historically played decisive roles in the emergence of deputy governors in the state.
Among those being mentioned for the deputy governorship position are the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Jumoke Oduwole, former Oriade Local Government chairman, Ramota Hassan-Ijaiye, Lagos State Commissioner for Basic Education, Jamiu Tolani Alli-Balogun, chairman of Amuwo-Odofin Local Government, Prince Lanre Sanusi, and former Amuwo-Odofin Local Government chairman, Comrade Ayodele Adewale, popularly known as ‘Lord Mayor’.
Also being mentioned within the political conversations are Samuel Ajose, popularly known as SMA, and Dr. Abdul-Azeez Olajide Adeniran.
Within the Badagry Division axis of Lagos West, political discussions have also spotlighted Prince Wale Oluwa, a technocrat whose name, party sources say, has been gaining increasing traction in the ongoing consultations within the party.
Stakeholders from the division are said to be intensifying advocacy for a candidate from the Badagry axis, arguing that the area has historically played significant roles in the electoral fortunes of the party and therefore deserves strategic consideration in the emerging political equation.
Meanwhile, another school of thought within the political establishment suggests that both Adeniran and Ajose may also be under consideration for possible federal appointments outside the state.
Factors Likely to Shape Final Decisions
Observers note that several factors are likely to influence the eventual choices for both the governorship and deputy governorship tickets.
These include religious balancing, generational considerations and the recurring debate over indigenous representation within the state’s political leadership.
There are also indications that some stakeholders are advocating for a Muslim candidate to succeed the incumbent governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who is a Christian in order to achieve gender equality.
In addition, political analysts say the question of indigenous representation has resurfaced strongly in political conversations, with some Lagos political blocs advocating greater inclusion of indigenes in key leadership positions.
Another permutation gaining attention within political circles suggests a possible arrangement in which Lagos East produces the governor, Lagos Central the deputy governor, and Lagos West the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly.
As consultations continue across party structures and political camps, analysts say the coming months are likely to witness increased political alignments and realignments as aspirants and their supporters intensify efforts to position themselves ahead of the APC’s eventual decision on zoning and candidate selection for the 2027 governorship race.
