Not that my support matters or that of anyone outside the ruling cabals that comprise the GAC and the ultimate power bloc at the centre
But for posterity’s sake, it’s still very fortuitous for one to put down his position for nothing else but legacy
In the last 48 hours, news wires and word on the street have been alluding to Mr Hamzat’s supposed anointing as the next Governor of Lagos state
Although no official confirmation has been made unlike in Ogun State where the Governor announced very openly to a crowd his successor, in Lagos, it’s still musings from the grapevine
Mr Hamzat himself has leveraged the rumours and strategically positioned himself such that his candidacy goes with the flow
Now I really have nothing personal against his candidacy nor do I think that he is not eminently qualified
In fact, he has for the last two terms of Gov SANWO-OLU carried himself as a partner, supporting his principal and diligently not overtly hugging the spotlight in such a way that it would now lead to the usual friction between governors and their deputies
One would expect that like the brilliant technocrat that he is, he would have learnt the ropes, understood the nuances and be better prepared for the job
In writing this piece, I went through his credentials and met an extremely brilliant man who is well educated and supremely brilliant
Lagos has never had issues in throwing up quality at its epicentre – from Fashola through Ambode and now SANWO-OLU, you see some of the most brilliant Nigerians in the saddle in Lagos
So now what is my issue? Why would I not support Hamzat in the event of his emergence
Lagos is the second largest city economy in Africa with a GDP reaching $259b on a Purchasing Power Parity basis
A 2025 economic performance report shows that GDP grew from N54. 7 trillion to N66. 4 trillion
It projected N2. 7trillion in total revenue with IGR contributing most of that through an expanded digital platform
What am I trying to say? The complexities and strategic importance of Lagos are not a place for geriatric power play in choosing its leadership
Chief Olusi is the powerful chairman of the all-powerful GAC
The GAC is an independent body that has oversight functions over Lagos and its governance
Its support is needed to emerge and also to have a smooth tenure
I have met Chief Olusi once. Out of a whim, I called him and he picked up and asked me to see him just like that
The next day, I was in his Ebute Metta office.
He comes from a very rich political pedigree since the days of Obafemi Awolowo’s Action Group
My meeting with him didn’t last for more than 5 minutes which left me wondering where all the influence was coming from
But doubt his role in Lagos politics to ur detriment and it’s by no accident that Hamzat ran for a photo opportunity the moment the rumours started swirling
After Bourdillon, the GAC is your next port of call in the Power flow in Lagos and which brings me back to my point
Lagos politics has been sewn in. The structure is set in concrete and can’t be broken so we all must acquiesce
Decisions are being taken on behalf of the 22 million people who inhabit Lagos and by extension Nigeria if you consider its prime position economically by the groupings that have a firm grip on power
Once decisions are taken at the GAC and endorsed at Bourdillon every soldier falls in line, and this is why the Hamzat train is not firing at full throttle cos of the silence at the Bourdillon end, which seems distracted with National wahala
It is in this lacuna that one must now situate a plea for internal democracy
Since we can no longer have the vacous democratic rights to choose, at least those who have annexed power should have some form of internal democracy where all aspirants can sell themselves to the Babas
So far, what we have here as main criteria is – his father led one group, he is an Asiwajus candidate, the GAC likes him etc
Now I write blindly not being conversant with the internal workings of these power bases and as such would only be shooting from a perceived darkness
But if there is no internal democracy, which there is nothing in their DNA suggesting that, then it would now be safe to instil it especially at this point when Lagos is pivoting towards securing global relevance
Let all aspirants present their manifestos, let them talk about the challenges Lagosians face and their plans to solve them.
Let them present their qualifications let them speak to their vision of Lagos, and let there be an internal mechanism that would vet and make their recommendations and then let there be a vote
Since, we can no longer be involved in this process, let the GAC be expanded to better reflect the colouration of greater Lagos so that the varied interests will be represented
It is after this is done, that we will now just go to the polls to rubber-stamp the decision of the GAC as we are all expected to do
Lagos is just too big and important to Africa to be having candidates emerge cos their father played Ludo with one Baba at some point, let there be internal democracy since our votes don’t matter. Simple
You may come and beat me now
I’m waiting
Duke of Shomolu
Last modified: April 15, 2026
