Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu praised the voter engagement at Lagos APC's governorship primary on Thursday. He called the turnout "impressive" across the state.
Obafemi Hamzat, the sitting deputy governor, won the party's ticket for 2027. His victory wasn't surprising—APC structures had backed him as consensus candidate weeks earlier.
Sanwo-Olu arrived at Ward E3, St Stephens (WAEC) School on Lagos Island at 11:44am with his wife, Ibijoke. He voted in what he termed a peaceful and orderly exercise.
The governor noted that direct primaries let ward-level members freely choose their preferred candidate. Electoral officials and party representatives ensured credibility throughout, he added.
About 1,810 people cast ballots at that venue alone. Sanwo-Olu described the atmosphere as "calm and family-like" despite the midday crowd.
He expressed full confidence Hamzat would emerge as the party's flag-bearer. According to him, the deputy governor would then secure the governorship seat.
National APC officials conducted the exercise with transparency and peace, the governor commended. He praised party leadership in Abuja for their professionalism.
Alade Folawiyo, chairman of Lagos Island East Local Council Development Area, also attended the primary. He described participation levels as "massive and impressive."
Folawiyo told reporters that Hamzat possessed the experience needed to govern Lagos State. He noted the deputy governor understood the state's needs at every level.
Continuity in leadership would protect ongoing infrastructure projects and security gains, the council boss said. He expressed confidence in Hamzat's ability to consolidate Sanwo-Olu's achievements.
In his words: "I am so happy that people can see it in the people's mouth. I see the kind of enthusiasm and happiness in the face of everybody in this ward."
Folawiyo passed a vote of confidence in the deputy governor before departing the venue.
