Why I’m more comfortable working with Sanwo-Olu – Hamzat opens up

Obafemi Hamzat, the running mate of the Lagos State All Progressives Congress’ governorship candidate, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has revealed why he was not comfortable being Governor Akinwunmi Ambode’s running mate four years ago.

He said he rejected the deputy governorship slot in 2015, but accepted it in 2018 because he was more comfortable working with Sanwo-Olu.

Hamzat – who stepped down for Sanwo-Olu after the latter got the backing of the Asiwaju Bola Tinubu-led Mandate Movement, spoke on Tuesday as a guest on ‘Arise Africa’, a programme on Arise TV.

He said, “There are various things you have to consider in governance… we have to look at different parts of the state and when I looked at all of that, I realised that it is better for me to step down for Mr Sanwo-Olu.

“I’ve known him for 15 years. I see him as a friend and a strong person that has the interest of the state at heart. Don’t forget that I was offered the position of the deputy governorship candidate four years ago, but I said no.

“So for me to take up the position now, it means I’m more comfortable working with him (Sanwo-Olu). I believe that together we can do a good job and take the state higher.”

The deputy governorship candidate, however, said he was delighted about the endorsement he and Sanwo-Olu received from Ambode.

Speaking on the friction in the party over the primaries’ result, Hamzat said, “It’s unique for a sitting governor of a state to be challenged; so this caused friction initially. But we understand that you can’t have democracy without democrats.

“The constitution says a governor shall govern for four years, which is renewable, and candidates can emerge from various parties. That was what happened and it is part of the democratic credentials we must build as a nation.”

Hamzat also spoke on plans by the party to tackle problems in the various sectors of the economy, but noted that the current budget of the state was not enough to solve all the issues.