Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has praised his deputy, Obafemi Hamzat, for stepping aside from the 2018 governorship race to support his emergence as the All Progressives Congress candidate.

Sanwo-Olu said Hamzat had the experience, political backing and public service record to contest the election but agreed to become his running mate about five weeks after withdrawing from the race.

In a post on his X account on Friday, the governor described the decision as an act of selflessness, saying he had never forgotten his deputy’s support.

Hamzat withdrew from the APC governorship primary in September 2018 and urged his supporters to back Sanwo-Olu.

Reflecting on their relationship since taking office in 2019, Sanwo-Olu said he had spent 2,711 days working with Hamzat without ever doubting his loyalty.

He credited his deputy with playing key roles in the state’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the delivery of major infrastructure projects, including the Blue and Red rail lines and the Lekki Deep Sea Port.

The governor also highlighted Hamzat’s previous public service experience, including his roles as commissioner for Science and Technology under former Governor Bola Tinubu and commissioner for Works and Infrastructure under former Governor Babatunde Fashola.

Sanwo-Olu further cited Hamzat’s involvement in projects such as the Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge and the digitisation of government processes, describing their administration as one built on shared responsibility and a common vision.

The governor’s remarks came as Hamzat unveiled his governorship manifesto, tagged The Lagos PROMISE, ahead of the 2027 election.

Sanwo-Olu urged Lagos residents to support his deputy, describing his ambition as the next phase of the state’s leadership transition. He argued that Hamzat’s experience and familiarity with ongoing projects would provide continuity for the state’s development plans.