Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos has commended members of the All Progressives Congress in Lagos State for the large turnout recorded during the party’s governorship primary election, describing the exercise as peaceful, transparent and a true reflection of internal democracy.
The governor spoke shortly after casting his vote at Ward E3, St. Stephen’s (WAEC) School on Lagos Island, where he arrived alongside his wife, Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, on Thursday to participate in the exercise.
Sanwo-Olu praised the orderly conduct of party members and electoral officials, noting that the direct primary system allowed grassroots members of the party to actively participate in the selection of the APC governorship candidate ahead of the 2027 elections.
According to him, officials and party representatives were adequately deployed to ensure the credibility and smooth conduct of the exercise across the state.
The governor also described the atmosphere at the polling venue as calm and family-like despite the large turnout of voters, with about 1,810 accredited participants reported at the ward before noon.
Sanwo-Olu openly declared his support for Deputy Governor Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, the consensus candidate of the APC, expressing confidence that he would emerge victorious in the primary and subsequently win the governorship election.
He further commended party leaders and APC officials from Abuja for what he described as the peaceful and transparent organisation of the primary election.
Also speaking during the exercise, Alade Folawiyo, Chairman of Lagos Island East Local Council Development Area, described the turnout as impressive and reflective of the unity within the party.
Folawiyo expressed confidence in Hamzat’s leadership capacity, stating that the deputy governor possesses the administrative experience and understanding needed to govern Lagos State effectively.
He added that continuity in leadership would help sustain ongoing infrastructural projects, governance reforms and security improvements initiated under the Sanwo-Olu administration.
The APC governorship primary later produced Hamzat as the party’s candidate for the 2027 governorship election after he secured an overwhelming victory in the statewide exercise.
