LAGOS — As the political atmosphere in the Center of Excellence begins to simmer ahead of the 2027 gubernatorial polls, Abdulazeez Adediran, popularly known as Jandor, has clarified that the field remains wide open within the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Monday, the former PDP governorship candidate—who has since returned to the APC fold—dismissed rumors of early endorsements or official declarations from the state’s second-in-command.
“No Word from Hamzat”
Addressing speculations regarding Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat’s intentions, Jandor noted that while Hamzat possesses the requisite pedigree, he has yet to formally enter the fray.
“He (Hamzat) hasn’t even said to us himself that he is running. He is the deputy governor of Lagos, qualified, with over 20 years of experience in that space,” Jandor stated.
The Tinubu Factor
Despite the traditional influence of the presidency in Lagos politics, Jandor maintained that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has not put his weight behind any specific aspirant. He revealed that in his personal interactions with the President, the Commander-in-Chief neither discouraged his ambition nor offered a “coronation” ticket.
“The President hasn’t endorsed anyone. I am an aspirant… We will be the first set of people to know if there is anything like that because communication will come,” he added.
The Road to 2027: A Crowded Field
With Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu currently serving his final term, the APC is expected to witness a high-stakes internal contest. Several heavyweights are reportedly eyeing the Alausa Round House, including:
| Potential Contenders | Current/Former Role |
| Obafemi Hamzat | Deputy Governor of Lagos State |
| Akinwunmi Ambode | Former Governor of Lagos State |
| Tokunbo Abiru | Senator representing Lagos East |
| Hakeem Muri-Okunola | Principal Secretary to the President |
| Femi Gbajabiamila | Chief of Staff to the President |
| Tunji Alausa | Minister of Education |
Party Supremacy and the “End of Opposition”
Jandor, who faced a bruising defeat in 2023 alongside running mate Funke Akindele under the PDP banner, appears fully integrated into the APC machinery. He emphasized that the party has signaled a preference for direct primaries, a move he claims to support wholeheartedly.
“If tomorrow [the party] says this is what we are doing, we will fall in line. The party is supreme,” he noted, while boldly claiming that the era of a fragmented political landscape in Lagos is over, asserting there is now “nothing like opposition again” in the state.
As the Governance Advisory Council (GAC) continues to monitor the pulse of the state, the 2027 race remains a game of strategic patience, with all eyes on the “Lion of Bourdillon” for the eventual signal.
