Lagos APC governorship candidate Obafemi Hamzat says President Bola Tinubu stepped back and let the Lagos chapter of the party choose his deputy for the 2027 election.
Speaking on Thursday at the public launch of Who Is She?, a book by his running mate Damilola James, Hamzat explained how the decision came together.
According to him, Tinubu called and told the party to “go and sort it out” after agreeing that the deputy slot should go to a young woman. Hamzat said he suggested a female candidate, and then specifically a young one, and the president approved both.
Zoning also played a role. Hamzat noted that he is from Lagos East and Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu is from Lagos Central, so the party looked to Lagos West for the deputy position.
“I did not even have Damilola’s number until she was selected. I had to get it from someone,” Hamzat said. He described James as a grassroots politician with a strong record of community work.
James, the Lagos APC deputy woman leader from Badagry, was unveiled earlier as Hamzat’s running mate after what the party called extensive consultations.
Hamzat also used the event to urge young Nigerian women not to give up on the country, saying there are still opportunities for those ready to serve.
