2019: APC Presents Hamzat as Sanwo-Olu’s Running-Mate

Sanwo-Olu and Hamzat

By Paul Mbagwu

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos has officially announced a former Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, as the running mate to its governorship candidate in 2019, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

The Chairman, Lagos APC, Mr Tunde Balogun, officially presented Hamzat on Sunday during a press conference at the party secretariat.

Balogun described Sanwo-Olu and Hamzat as a fantastic team that would deepen development in Lagos if voted for in 2019.

He said, “The highest decision-making body of the APC, together with all the relevant stakeholders in Lagos State, has endorsed Dr Obafemi Hamzat as the running mate to the party candidate, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

“After the endorsement, it is important for me to publicly and officially present him as the running mate of our candidate, Mr Sanwo-Olu in 2019.’’

Lagos APC officially presenting Dr Obafemi Hamzat

Also speaking, Sanwo-Olu hailed the choice of Hamzat as his running mate, saying he was confident that Lagos would be better enriched with Hamzat on board.

He stated that after due consultation, they decided to formally unveil and publicly present Hamzat as his running mate.

“Dr Hamzat and I have been players in the same political matters for many years. We have been friends and brothers for close to two decades. He is a man of deep intellectual knowledge. He is a man of a high level of integrity. He is a man that I have worked closely within different services.

“He is competent and he is somebody that I know very well and will help me and together, we will take Lagos to the level that we are promising; a level that will enhance all of us.

“He is a technocrat and politician who has also worked in both the private and public sectors. He is a gentleman that I personally respect a lot,” Sanwo-Olu said.

In his acceptance speech, Hamzat said Sanwo-Olu and he understood what it would take to “cook what Lagosians would eat”.

Hamzat stated, “Lagos is dear to all of us. And if Nigeria will be great, Lagos must be great. And as such, our party decided to look for a candidate like Mr Sanwo-Olu, who has the experience, integrity and capability to run the affairs of this state. We are now a global village and what we do in Lagos affects everywhere in Nigeria and other parts of Africa.”

The event was witnessed by Sanwo-Olu, state Deputy Chairman, Mr Sunny Ajose, Vice-Chairman (Lagos East), Chief Kaoli Olusanya, Secretary, Dr Wale Ahmed, and Publicity Secretary, Mr Joe Igbokwe.