| Racoon(m): 11:18pm On May 14 |
The race to succeed Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu in 2027 is gradually gaining momentum, with political stakeholders and groups across Lagos State already rooting for their preferred candidates. Among those generating buzz is Femi Gbajabiamila, Chief of Staff to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and former Speaker of the House of Representatives.
DAILY POST observed that a growing number of party faithful and influential figures are backing him, with popular Nollywood actor and lawmaker, Desmond Elliot, reportedly leading a ‘silent’ push for Gbajabiamila to emerge as the APC flagbearer in the next gubernatorial election.
ers are said to be banking on his close ties to the President and long-standing political experience, which they believe make him a strong contender.
“Gbajabiamila is not just a seasoned legislator. Now as Chief of Staff to the President, he has added executive experience. That’s the kind of leadership Lagos needs,” said Famous Oloyede, an APC chieftain from Surulere.
However, some party believe that by 2027, Gbajabiamila, who will be 64, may be too old to govern a complex and fast-moving state like Lagos. “He should stay back in Abuja and continue ing the President. Lagos needs someone younger; and besides, it’s time another istrative district takes the seat,” a senior party source told DAILY POST.
Lagos State is organized into five istrative districts, collectively called IBILE, namely Ikorodu, Badagry, Ikeja, Lagos Island, and Epe. Notably, the last four governors of the state, Bola Tinubu, Babatunde Fashola, Akinwunmi Ambode and Babajide Sanwo-Olu, have all hailed from either Lagos Island or Epe. Even Alhaji Lateef Jakande, the state’s first civilian governor, identified as a native of Lagos Island.
The clamour for 2027 is not one-sided. Stakeholders from Epe, a region that once produced former governor Akinwunmi Ambode, are also pressing for political rebalancing.Following Ambode’s fallout with the APC leadership, many indigenes believe Epe has been marginalised in the state’s power structure.
As a result, attention has shifted to the current Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa, who hails from Epe. Many locals view him as a competent and loyal figure capable of restoring Epe’s influence in Lagos politics. “Epe has been marginalised for years,” said Olugbede Adekalu, a strong APC member.
Ambode was not allowed to complete his second term, unlike others before him. It’s time to correct that injustice,” he said.
Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Mudashiru Obasa, is also being quietly touted by political and religious circles.
A notable Islamic cleric recently expressed for Obasa’s candidacy, citing his legislative experience and grassroots popularity. While Obasa has yet to make a formal declaration, he recently made a subtle remark that has further fueled speculations.
Speaking during a public engagement, the Speaker said, “Also, becoming governor is secondary; it is something that I have not given serious consideration. Nevertheless, that does not mean I am too young or lack experience to run; whereas, those who have been before me are not better off.”. Observers believe Obasa’s statement was a calculated message to signal openness to the race without making an outright announcement.
Also making the rounds is the name of Seyi Tinubu, son of President Bola Tinubu. While he has not publicly declared interest, speculations are rife, with several diaspora groups reportedly rooting for him.
This development has placed the party and the Governance Advisory Council (GAC), the highest decision-making body of the APC in Lagos, in a dilemma, especially as President Tinubu has remained silent despite the growing clamour for his son’s potential candidacy.
In addition to the growing field of aspirants, fresh agitations are emerging from Ikorodu, one of Lagos State’s largest istrative districts under the IBILE structure.
Despite the fact that the current Deputy Governor, Obafemi Hamzat, hails from Iga Egbe, a traditional compound within the Ikorodu Division, many stakeholders are insisting the district is yet to be adequately represented at the top. According to party insiders, there is mounting for either Rep Babajimi Benson or Hamzat himself to emerge as the next governor.
However, should neither of them clinch the ticket, strong lobbying is ongoing for Hon Abike Dabiri-Erewa, former House of Representatives member and current Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, to be considered for the position of deputy governor, especially if the governorship goes to another district.
Ikorodu deserves a real shot at the governorship. It’s one of the most loyal and populated zones in Lagos, yet we’ve never truly had our turn,” said a party source.
While some argued that Ikorodu had a brief taste of power through Abiodun Ogunleye, who served as deputy governor during Tinubu’s istration, a party member countered that Ogunleye’s tenure, just 14 days between May 15 and May 29, 2007, was too short to be considered meaningful representation. A party insider from Ogolonto, a community in Ikorodu, stated:
“Ogunleye’s 14-day tenure was purely symbolic. You can’t call that real representation. That’s not power-sharing, it was a token gesture. Ikorodu deserves more than a fleeting appointment. “Serving just 14 days as deputy governor hardly qualifies as meaningful leadership. Ikorodu deserves more than a fleeting appointment.”
Reflecting growing calls for more equitable power rotation across Lagos, some party have maintained that ading districts long overlooked deserve a turn in the executive seat.
Power should shift to Badagry now. They’ve never produced either a governor since 1999,” another party member told DAILY POST.
Another name quietly gaining traction within APC circles is that of Senator Mukhail Adetokunbo (Tokunbo) Abiru, who currently represents Lagos East Senatorial District in the National Assembly. This district encomes the local government areas of Epe, Ibeju-Lekki, Ikorodu, Kosofe and Somolu
With many zones clamouring for recognition and no clear frontrunner emerging yet, one thing is clear: the contest for the soul of Lagos in 2027 will be one of the most keenly watched and hotly contested in the state’s recent political history.
https://dailypost.ng/2025/05/14/lagos-guber-seyi-tinubu-gbajabiamila-alausa-obasa-others-top-list-as-search-begins/?fbclid=IwQ0xDSwKR8WdjbGNrApHw6mV4dG4DYWVtAjExAAEe85jblDmh3BZ2yvXC0NBsWOnoxsokNzUXHPzz0zfidUGX6MBUeB29td6WwSY_aem_caWbQ-_G3QS_ruJA-8ypag
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| Racoon(m): 11:24pm On May 14 |
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Gbajiamila and Abike Dabiri are ideal contenders for the next governorship.
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| Lalar27: 11:27pm On May 14 |
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The right person for the job is seyi Tinubu. I see the legacy of his father in him and am very sure if he contested and won he will fo wonders to Lagos state and me the state the best state in Africa
22 Likes 6 Shares |
| fergie001: 11:42pm On May 14 |
Racoon:
Gbajiamila and Abike Dabiri are ideal contenders for the next governorship.
When will someone from the Lagos West axis of Ojo/Badagry/Amuwo-Odofin get it?
Anyways, Our Daddy knows the person, when the time comes...he will select the person, we trust in his belief to harness talents.
24 Likes 5 Shares |
| Jokerman(m): 11:54pm On May 14 |
fergie001:
When will someone from the Lagos West axis of Ojo/Badagry/Amuwo-Odofin get it?
Anyways, Our Daddy knows the person, when the time comes...he will select the person, we trust in his belief to harness talents.
Lol... 🤣
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| Karlovych: 4:24am On May 15 |
 I see druggie's son running mad before the primaries.
I see Helinus and yareimo begging him for a job as chief online agbado ur.chins.
This I have seen.
38 Likes 3 Shares |
| Tochi3(m): 4:44am On May 15 |
Racoon:
Gbajiamila and Abike Dabiri are ideal contenders for the next governorship.
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| SmartPolician: 5:00am On May 15 |
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Why is this a topic? There was an election in 2023. People who got the opportunity to serve as still struggling to make a significant impact since they took over. Why this conservation about 2027? Why do Nigerians like politics more than development?
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| helinues: 5:39am On May 15 |
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Beer parlor news
Seyi Tinubu would prefer to contest as Anambra state governor
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| agulion: 5:43am On May 15 |
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We Yoruba Muslims are in full of Seyi Tinubu as the next governor of Lagos state inshallah, Tinubu built Lagos Seyi Tinubu will beautify it inshallah
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| agulion: 5:45am On May 15 |
helinues:
Beer parlor news
Seyi Tinubu would prefer to contest as Anambra state governor
. His father built Lagos, we don't need people like you on this thread,
20 Likes 2 Shares |
| helinues: 5:47am On May 15 |
agulion:
. His father built Lagos, we don't need people like you on this thread,
Is Seyi Tinubu no longer resembled Ojukwu again. Where is Ojukwu from?
We have told you people, nobody has the monopoly of sounding petty
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| agulion: 6:03am On May 15 |
helinues:
Is Seyi Tinubu no longer resembled Ojukwu again. Where is Ojukwu from?
We have told you people, nobody has the monopoly of sounding petty
,. You know Tinubu has no know root, both his father, his biological mother, his primary and secondary school are not known up till now, Hope you know it was Tinubu that built Lagos, so Seyi Tinubu will be the next governor of Lagos state inshallah,
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| azpekuliar: 6:11am On May 15 |
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Alhaji Lateef Jakande was from Kwara state. He was only born in Lagos Island.
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| helinues: 6:35am On May 15 |
agulion:
,. You know Tinubu has no know root, both his father, his biological mother, his primary and secondary school are not known up till now, Hope you know it was Tinubu that built Lagos, so Seyi Tinubu will be the next governor of Lagos state inshallah,
Seyi Tinubu for Anambra state governor
41 Likes 3 Shares |
| aswani(m): 7:31am On May 15 |
All of these candidates are dead on arrival as Chinedu Gbadebo is winning hands down anyway
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| Antoeni(m): 9:18am On May 15 |
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Behold, the faces of those who protested when the country was still working.
Please, just one word for them.
19 Likes 4 Shares 
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| Mbanda(m): 9:27am On May 15 |
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| Hemanwel(m): 10:33am On May 15 |
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None of these ones will stop Rhodes-Vivour in 2027. Book this space!
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| teeteepeejay: 10:33am On May 15 |
Seyi Tinubu na joker
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| AntiChristian: 10:34am On May 15 |
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Seyi is not running!
All this na noise!
Gbaja, Alausa or Obasa.....which one oooo?
Gbaja may still need to stay with Jagaban till 2031
Alausa vs Obasa
The hulabaloo around Obasa a couple of months ago is still up!
So Alausa all the way but Gbaja fit resign na!
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| Numerouno94(m): 10:35am On May 15 |
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Seyi Tinubu? U must be fvking kidding me.🥱
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| nairalanda1(m): 10:36am On May 15 |
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Opposition should not complain about what APC is doing. Oppositon should unite and buiid on the gains of 2023 and stand firm against APC.
APC can lose the governorship in 2027, and yes, it can happen. It almost happened in 2023.
32 Likes 1 Share |
| bigdammyj: 10:37am On May 15 |
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Noted.
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| iwaeda: 10:37am On May 15 |
Hamzat not there? Jakande was from Omu-Aran, Irepodun, LGA, Kwara.
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| Numerouno94(m): 10:38am On May 15 |
fergie001:
When will someone from the Lagos West axis of Ojo/Badagry/Amuwo-Odofin get it?
Anyways, Our Daddy knows the person, when the time comes...he will select the person, we trust in his belief to harness talents.
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