Reported by Simon Daniel Yusuph l Journalist at Weng Global
Former Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, has mobilised his political associates and supporters to strengthen the All Progressives Congress (APC) campaign ahead of the 2027 general elections, declaring support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election and Dr Kadri Obafemi Hamzat’s governorship ambition in Lagos State.
The mobilisation followed a strategic meeting between Ambode and his political associates, during which the former governor reaffirmed his commitment to strengthening political relationships and promoting unity within the APC ahead of the elections.
According to a statement issued on Thursday, November 5, 2026, by Adeshina Tiamiyu on behalf of the Ambode Support Associates, the group is preparing to expand its grassroots mobilisation across Lagos State in support of the party’s candidates.
The statement also disclosed that arrangements were underway to receive Hamzat in Epe, Lagos State, for a political gathering scheduled for the following week.
The planned engagement is expected to bring together party members, political leaders, community stakeholders and supporters to strengthen existing alliances and coordinate mobilisation activities ahead of the 2027 polls.
The development represents another significant political alignment within the Lagos APC as influential party figures consolidate support around Tinubu’s presidential ambition and Hamzat’s bid to succeed Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
Ambode Targets Grassroots Mobilisation Across Lagos
The Ambode Support Associates said its mobilisation strategy would extend beyond established political structures to include different community groups and social organisations across Lagos State.
According to the statement, the initiative would involve Community Development Associations (CDAs), market women, artisans, people living with disabilities and other sections of the population.
The group said its objective was to build a united political structure capable of mobilising support from communities across the state.
It explained that the proposed activities were consistent with its philosophy of “One Nation, One Community, One Family”, which it described as a commitment to inclusion and collective political participation.
The statement emphasised the importance of translating political relationships into stronger alliances and practical electoral mobilisation.
It added that the initiative was designed to galvanise Lagosians at the grassroots level in support of Tinubu’s re-election and Hamzat’s emergence as the next governor of Lagos State.
The planned gathering in Epe is expected to provide an opportunity for political associates and party stakeholders to interact with Hamzat and strengthen their cooperation ahead of the election.
However, the extent of participation and the number of supporters expected at the gathering have not been officially disclosed.
Ambode Reaffirms Loyalty to Tinubu and APC
Ambode’s latest mobilisation effort builds on his previous public declarations of support for Tinubu and the APC.
The former governor has consistently maintained his political affiliation with the ruling party despite earlier speculation surrounding his political future following his departure from Lagos Government House in 2019.
In August 2025, Ambode publicly reaffirmed his loyalty to the APC and Tinubu, dismissing reports linking him to a possible governorship ambition under the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
In a statement reported by Nigerian media organisations, he described his loyalty to the APC and the President as absolute and unshakable.
His latest mobilisation activities therefore reinforce his position within the ruling party as preparations for the 2027 elections gather momentum.
Ambode governed Lagos State between 2015 and 2019 before losing the party’s governorship ticket to Babajide Sanwo-Olu ahead of the 2019 election.
His political influence and network of associates have continued to attract attention within Lagos APC politics, particularly as the party prepares for another governorship contest.
The former governor’s decision to mobilise his supporters for Tinubu and Hamzat also signals his willingness to participate actively in the party’s electoral preparations.
Hamzat Emerges as APC’s Preferred Governorship Candidate
The support being mobilised by Ambode comes after President Tinubu and influential APC stakeholders endorsed Hamzat as the party’s preferred candidate for the 2027 Lagos governorship election.
Hamzat, who currently serves as deputy governor of Lagos State, has been positioned as the party’s candidate to succeed Sanwo-Olu.
The endorsement process gained significant momentum in April 2026 when Tinubu expressed support for Hamzat during consultations with influential Lagos APC leaders.
The development subsequently attracted endorsements from other prominent political figures, including Ambode.
On April 30, 2026, the former governor publicly congratulated Hamzat on his emergence as the APC’s consensus governorship candidate.
In his statement, Ambode described Hamzat’s emergence as a reflection of his loyalty, hard work and dedication to the party over more than two decades.
He also expressed confidence in Hamzat’s experience and capacity to govern Lagos State.
Ambode’s endorsement was significant because the former governor had previously occupied the same office Hamzat is seeking to secure.
Their political relationship also reflects the evolving alliances within the Lagos APC, where party leaders are increasingly aligning behind the deputy governor’s candidacy.
Hamzat’s emergence has attracted support from several influential political stakeholders, including the incumbent governor, Sanwo-Olu, and other party leaders.
The growing endorsements suggest that the APC leadership is seeking to consolidate its position around a preferred candidate well ahead of the governorship election.
Ambode Previously Set Three Million Vote Target for Tinubu
Ambode’s latest mobilisation initiative also builds on his earlier call for the APC in Lagos to deliver substantial electoral support for Tinubu in 2027.
In April 2026, following his endorsement of Hamzat, the former governor urged party members to work towards securing at least three million votes for the President in Lagos State.
He argued that the continued leadership of Tinubu was important to the future prosperity of Lagos and Nigeria.
Ambode also called on APC members to support the party’s candidates contesting legislative positions at the federal level.
His position reflected an effort to connect the presidential campaign with the party’s broader electoral objectives across Lagos State.
The three-million-vote target represents an ambitious political objective that would require extensive grassroots organisation, voter engagement and effective coordination among party structures.
Whether the APC can achieve that target will depend on several factors, including voter participation, public perception of government policies, opposition strength and the political environment closer to the election.
Nevertheless, Ambode’s renewed mobilisation effort indicates that his political associates intend to contribute to the party’s preparations rather than remain on the sidelines.
Lagos APC Builds Alliances Ahead of 2027
Political activities within the Lagos APC have intensified as the party prepares for the next governorship election.
Hamzat’s emergence as the preferred candidate has generated a series of endorsements and political consultations involving influential party members.
The process has also attracted attention because of the political history surrounding the Lagos governorship position.
Ambode’s administration ended in 2019 after he failed to secure the APC ticket for a second term, which subsequently went to Sanwo-Olu.
Hamzat, who was also involved in the party’s earlier governorship calculations, eventually became deputy governor under Sanwo-Olu.
His current position as the party’s preferred candidate represents a major development in Lagos political succession planning.
The endorsements from Tinubu, Sanwo-Olu and Ambode have strengthened Hamzat’s standing within the party.
However, endorsements alone do not determine the outcome of a general election. The APC will still need to convince voters through its campaign activities, policy proposals and assessment of its performance in government.
The party will also face the challenge of maintaining internal cohesion while managing the interests of different political groups and stakeholders.
For Ambode, mobilising his associates behind Hamzat could help strengthen relationships within the party and provide additional grassroots support for the candidate.
Inclusion and Community Participation at the Centre of Mobilisation
One notable feature of the Ambode Support Associates’ latest mobilisation plan is its stated intention to involve different sections of society.
By identifying market women, artisans, community development associations and people living with disabilities as mobilisation targets, the group appears to be seeking a broader political engagement beyond conventional party meetings.
Such groups play important roles in community organisation and political participation, particularly in densely populated urban environments such as Lagos.
Market associations, for example, maintain extensive networks across commercial centres, while community development associations provide platforms through which residents engage with local authorities and community leadership.
Artisans and other informal-sector workers also represent an important constituency in Lagos, where small businesses and self-employment contribute significantly to economic activity.
The inclusion of people living with disabilities also raises the importance of accessibility and participation in political processes.
However, the success of the proposed approach will depend on whether the mobilisation translates into meaningful engagement and whether the concerns of these communities are reflected in the candidates’ policy commitments.
Political inclusion requires more than securing endorsements from organised groups. It also involves listening to their concerns and ensuring that their interests receive attention in governance.
What the Development Means for Tinubu and Hamzat
Ambode’s latest political activities could strengthen the APC’s mobilisation structure in Lagos as the party prepares to defend its political position in the state and secure support for Tinubu at the federal level.
For Hamzat, the backing of a former governor with an established political network could provide additional opportunities to engage party members and community stakeholders.
It could also help reinforce the appearance of unity among influential APC figures behind his governorship ambition.
For Tinubu, the mobilisation represents another effort by party associates to build support for his re-election campaign in one of Nigeria’s most politically significant states.
Lagos remains an important political centre because of its population, economic influence and historical significance within national electoral calculations.
Consequently, the ability of the APC to maintain strong grassroots structures in the state could become an important consideration ahead of the presidential election.
However, the wider political environment will remain decisive. Opposition parties and other political groups are also expected to intensify their campaigns as the election approaches.
Voters will ultimately assess the competing candidates based on their records, policy proposals, leadership capacity and ability to address the challenges facing the country and Lagos State.
What Happens Next?
The immediate next step in Ambode’s mobilisation plan is the proposed political gathering in Epe, where Hamzat is expected to meet members of the Ambode Support Associates and other political stakeholders.
According to the group’s statement, the meeting is intended to strengthen existing alliances, deepen political cooperation and renew commitments towards the APC’s electoral objectives.
The extent to which the gathering will translate into wider grassroots mobilisation remains to be seen.
Attention will also remain on the activities of the Lagos APC as political consultations and campaign preparations continue ahead of the 2027 general elections.
For Ambode, the mobilisation provides an opportunity to reaffirm his political relevance within the party while supporting the candidates endorsed by its leadership.
For Hamzat, securing support from influential political figures and strengthening relationships across Lagos communities will be important as he prepares for the governorship contest.
Meanwhile, Tinubu’s re-election campaign will depend on the APC’s ability to convert political endorsements and mobilisation activities into actual votes.
As Nigeria moves closer to the 2027 elections, Ambode’s renewed engagement demonstrates how established political networks are being activated to shape the next electoral contest.
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Sources
- TheCable – November 5, 2026 report on Ambode’s meeting with political associates and renewed support for Tinubu and Hamzat.
- Ambode Support Associates – Statement issued by Adeshina Tiamiyu, November 5, 2026.
- Channels Television – April 30, 2026 report on Ambode’s endorsement of Hamzat and support for Tinubu’s re-election.
- Premium Times – April 30, 2026 report on Ambode’s endorsement of Hamzat as the APC’s consensus governorship candidate.
- The Guardian – August 9, 2025 report on Ambode’s reaffirmation of loyalty to Tinubu and the APC.
