Babajide Sanwo-Olu has congratulated his deputy, Obafemi Hamzat, on emerging as the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress ahead of the 2027 Lagos State governorship election.

Sanwo-Olu conveyed his congratulatory message in a statement issued on Friday after Hamzat was declared the winner of the party’s direct primary election conducted across the state on Thursday.

The governor described Hamzat’s emergence as a reflection of the confidence reposed in him by members of the APC and residents of Lagos State.

He also praised party members for their peaceful conduct, loyalty, and solidarity during the primary election process.

“On behalf of my family, I congratulate Dr Kadri Obafemi Hamzat on his emergence as the standard bearer of our great party, the All Progressives Congress, in next year’s gubernatorial election in Lagos,” Sanwo-Olu said.

“It is my belief that your personal vision for the continuous growth and development of our state will be for the benefit of all.”

Sanwo-Olu said the impressive turnout of party faithful at polling centres across Lagos demonstrated support for Hamzat and confidence in his ability to consolidate on the achievements of the current administration.

He urged members of the APC not to relent in their support for the party as preparations continue ahead of the 2027 general elections.

“There is still more work ahead of us as a party, and I urge all members to remain united and committed to the progress of Lagos State and the success of our great party,” the governor added.

Hamzat’s emergence as the APC governorship candidate positions him as the party’s flagbearer in the race to succeed Sanwo-Olu in 2027.

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The African Democratic Congress has said the Federal High Court ruling voiding parts of the Independent National Electoral Commission’s regulations for the 2027 elections would trigger a mass defection from the ruling All Progressives Congress.

The ADC stated this on Thursday while reacting to the court judgment on INEC’s guidelines relating to the deadline for party primaries and membership registration.

In a statement issued by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the opposition party described the judgment as a vindication of its earlier objections to some provisions of the electoral body’s guidelines.

According to the ADC, it had raised concerns over what it described as restrictive timelines for party primaries and membership registration when the guidelines were introduced.

“The decision of the court on these issues, including those that directly contradict the Constitution, is therefore a welcome vindication of our position,” the statement read.

The party argued that the court ruling would strengthen freedom of association by removing restrictions placed on politicians seeking to contest elections on alternative political platforms.

“We believed at the time that that particular restriction was designed to prevent people from leaving the ruling party, APC.

“Now that the court has ruled against it, we are sure that, in the coming days, we will witness a mass exodus from the ruling party,” Abdullahi stated.

ADC said it welcomed the judgment and expressed optimism that the ruling would deepen democratic participation ahead of the 2027 general elections.

PUNCH Online had reported that the court on Wednesday nullified key portions of the timetable and schedule of activities released by INEC for the 2027 general elections, ruling that the electoral body exceeded its powers by shortening timelines expressly provided under the Electoral Act, 2026.

Under the timetable released by INEC, political parties were directed to conduct their primaries within a compressed timeframe ahead of the presidential, National Assembly, governorship, and state assembly elections slated for February and March 2027.

The commission had also fixed deadlines for the submission of candidates’ particulars, replacement of candidates, publication of final lists, and the end of campaigns before the statutory periods provided in the Electoral Act.

However, the court held that those deadlines were inconsistent with the law.

It ruled that political parties are entitled to withdraw and replace candidates up to 90 days before an election, adding that the commission lacked the power to impose an earlier deadline.

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The Kabiru Turaki-led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party has denied allegations that it barred presidential aspirants from obtaining nomination forms ahead of the party’s presidential primary.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the faction’s spokesman, Ini Ememobong, described the claims as false, insisting that all interested aspirants remain free to purchase and submit their forms within the approved timeframe.

“We state clearly that the Interim National Working Committee is not aware of any hindrance by the party through its officials to prevent anybody from purchasing the forms,” the statement said.

Ememobong explained that the party recently extended the deadline for the purchase and submission of forms following appeals from party members.

“By the amended timetable, the last date for purchase and return of completed forms is Friday, 22nd May 2026, and the special screening for those yet to be screened is on Saturday, 23rd May 2026,” he said.

The PDP faction also maintained that although the party had zoned its presidential ticket to the South, no Nigerian could be constitutionally prevented from contesting for elective office.

“To this end, we urge the public to discountenance any story alleging that the party is preventing people from purchasing forms,” Ememobong stated.

“We reiterate that our forms are still available during the period specified in the amended timetable, and all Nigerians seeking to genuinely contest on our platform are free to obtain, fill, and return their forms.”

The clarification comes days after the Turaki-led PDP announced plans to screen former President Goodluck Jonathan as its sole presidential aspirant.

However, the faction later waived the screening requirement for Jonathan, with former Niger State Governor Babangida Aliyu saying the former president did not need to undergo screening because of his status as a former leader of the country.

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