The Chief of Staff to the president, Femi Gbajabiamila, has declared his support for the Lagos governorship bid of the state’s deputy governor, Dr Obafemi Hamzat.

Mr Gbajabiamila endorsed Hamzat when the deputy governor, accompanied by some prominent party leaders in the state, visited him on Sunday.

The visit was part of his ongoing engagements and consultations with party leaders ahead of 2027.

Declaring his support for Hamzat, Mr Gbajabiamila described the deputy governor as a leader with great competence and capacity, saying he had complete trust in the aspirant to take the state to the next level.

He said Mr Hamzat had demonstrated strong leadership as deputy governor and, in other capacities, had served the state.

The chief of staff said the party needed a performer like Mr Hamzat in 2027 to drive more development in the state and keep the opposition out of power.

“I thank you for coming here to solicit support; I do not take this for granted, as I see it as a mark of honour.

“You are someone I have known for years; you have demonstrated strong leadership as deputy governor, and I am not in any doubt about your capacity to deliver the goods.

“I know what you have done for years, and I am sure you will follow the blueprint and even elevate it to another level.

“The governorship election is a contest; there are many people out there who are determined to wrestle power, and for you to stop them, you need capacity, you need unity, and you need to carry everyone along, which you have started to do now.

“It is time to roll up our sleeves, we have an election to win and a state to govern and take to another level. I have no doubt you have the capacity, and you can count on my support,” he said.

While also declaring the support of the people of his Surulere constituency for Mr Hamzat’s governorship bid, he urged party members to give the aspirant all the support to take the state to the next level.

Earlier, Mr Hamzat said he visited Mr Gbajabiamila to solicit his support and seek his advice and guidance.

He called on party members to protect the trust the people had in the All Progressives Congress (APC), saying his aspiration was to take the state to another level.

He said Lagos, as the nerve centre of the country, was too important to be put in the hands of those who, he said, knew nothing about governance, calling for continuity.

“Our nation has crossed that bridge. Our economy is better now, but we must not make the mistake of thinking everyone is happy.

“Those who have lost their feeding bottle are not happy; they are entrenched and have big money, which makes a dangerous combination. So, anything that is good must be protected; we have to protect the path laid by our President. We need to continue to show the opponents the process, and I know, we will win the election,” he said.

Mr Hamzat thanked Mr Gbajabiamila for the endorsement and his contributions to the party’s growth.

Some of the party leaders in Mr Hamzat’s entourage include a former Minister of State for Defence, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro; Secretary of Lagos APC Governance Advisory Council, Chief Mutiu Are; and Senator Ganiyu Solomon.

Speaking, Mr Obanikoro described Mr Hamzat as a man of competence and integrity, saying he was sure-footed and would take the state to greater heights.

He urged party members to support the deputy governor in his bid to lead the state.

(NAN)