LAGOS — The All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate for the 2027 Lagos State election, Obafemi Hamzat, has officially appointed former Minister of State for Defence, Musiliu Obanikoro, as the Director-General of his campaign organization.

The announcement was made during an expanded meeting of the campaign council in Lagos on Wednesday, June 3, 2026. The appointment is seen as a strategic move to bolster Hamzat’s bid to succeed Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who publicly endorsed his deputy, Hamzat, as the "best man for the job" earlier this year.

Strategic Endorsement

According to reports from Arise Television, the appointment received the personal endorsement of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu during a recent meeting with key party officials. President Tinubu reportedly championed Obanikoro for the role, citing his extensive political experience and deep roots in Lagos politics, which span his tenure as a commissioner under Tinubu in 1999, a term in the Senate, and his roles as a high commissioner and minister.

A Wealth of Political Experience

Musiliu Obanikoro brings a complex political resume to the campaign. His career includes:

  • Lagos State Government: Served as Commissioner for Home Affairs and Culture (1999) under then-Governor Tinubu.

  • Legislature: Served as the Senator representing Lagos Central (2003–2007).

  • Diplomacy & Federal Service: Held the position of Nigeria’s High Commissioner to Ghana (2008) and served as Minister of State for Defence (2013).

The decision to appoint Obanikoro is viewed by political analysts as a move to unify various factions within the Lagos APC and leverage his history as a former major gubernatorial contender in the state. As the 2027 race approaches, Hamzat’s campaign team is expected to lean on Obanikoro's tactical expertise to manage the logistical and political challenges of the upcoming election cycle.