GOVERNOR Dauda Lawal has emerged as the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the 2027 governorship election in Zamfara State, while Lagos State Deputy Governor, Kadri Hamzat, and Katsina State Governor, Dikko Radda, also secured the party’s governorship tickets in their respective states.
News Point Nigeria reports that the three politicians emerged through consensus arrangements adopted by the APC during its governorship primaries ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In Zamfara State, Governor Lawal was unanimously endorsed by party members and supporters who gathered across various wards in the state to affirm him as the APC flagbearer for the forthcoming governorship election.
Speaking with journalists after the exercise, Lawal expressed gratitude to party members for the confidence reposed in him.
He pledged to sustain and expand developmental projects aimed at improving the living conditions of the people of Zamfara State.
Lawal’s emergence came as his Katsina State counterpart, Governor Dikko Radda, also secured the APC governorship ticket for a second-term bid.
Radda emerged as the party’s consensus governorship flag bearer following an affirmation exercise held at the Katsina People’s Square on Thursday.
A total of 2,835 delegates reportedly endorsed the governor’s candidacy in what party leaders described as a peaceful and transparent process.
Presenting the governor before party faithful, Chairman of the Primary Election Committee, Yakubu Machido, declared Radda as the APC consensus candidate, noting that he was effectively unopposed ahead of the exercise.
Speaking during the event, the APC National Vice Chairman for the North-West zone, Muhammad Garba, said the committee’s mission in Katsina was to ensure a peaceful and credible primary process.
According to him, the successful affirmation reflected unity and commitment within the party and was made possible through the cooperation of party stakeholders and the dedication of Governor Radda.
Former Katsina State Governor and Chairman of the APC Reconciliation Committee, Aminu Masari, also commended party members for maintaining peace during the exercise.
Masari urged both successful and unsuccessful aspirants in various contests to remain united ahead of the 2027 elections.
In Lagos State, Deputy Governor Kadri Hamzat emerged as the APC consensus governorship candidate amid growing support for his ambition within the party.
Hamzat commended the peaceful conduct of the APC governorship primary across the state, saying the orderly process and turnout of supporters reflected a bright future for internal democracy within the party.
He advised politicians and supporters against violence during the 2027 elections, insisting that elections should be seen as contests of ideas rather than conflicts.
“Well, in the coming elections, they should know that democratic competition is not a war. It’s a competition of ideas on how do we move our people forward? So your intention is to move people forward, to develop the state, by giving it a fight,” Hamzat said.
The deputy governor also stressed that the APC would focus on presenting programmes and manifestos to voters instead of engaging in violence.
Support for Hamzat’s governorship ambition has continued to gather momentum within the Lagos APC ahead of the 2027 election.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had earlier formally endorsed Hamzat after a meeting with members of the Lagos APC Governance Advisory Council (GAC) at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
Tinubu reportedly described Hamzat as the party’s consensus candidate for the governorship race.
Incumbent Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu had also publicly backed his deputy, saying Hamzat possesses the experience and capacity required to govern Lagos State effectively.
Both Lawal and Radda are seeking second terms in office on the platform of the APC, while Hamzat is positioning himself to succeed Sanwo-Olu in Lagos State.