2027: CFLgroup declares support for Tinubu, Sanwo-Olu’s Deputy

The Group Managing Director of CFLgroup, Lai Omotola, has endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for re-election in 2027.

Omotola, the convener of the group, made the declaration while addressing a press conference in Lagos on Tuesday.

Similarly, he pronounced his full backing for the Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr Obafemi Hamzat as the preferred successor to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu. 

Speaking to journalists, Omotola disclosed that having assessed the administration of President Tinubu after nearly three years in office, his final endorsement followed consultations within the group and was based on the principle of rotational presidency and the need for continuity in governance.

He explained: “After full consultation, we decided to endorse the candidacy of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the 2027 presidential election and also endorse the candidacy of Dr. Obafemi Hamzat as governor of Lagos State.”

Omotola stressed that since power had shifted to the South, fairness demanded that the region complete its turn through Tinubu’s re-election.

The Convener added that despite prevailing economic and security challenges, Tinubu administration had recorded achievements, particularly in strengthening political stability, improving federal-state relations, and boosting revenues accruing to state governments.

Omotola affirmed: “For the first time in a long while, there is political alignment between the executive and the legislature. Revenue allocations to the 36 states have improved, while the Nigerian stock market continues to perform strongly”.

Still, CFLgroup Head faulted the President’s recruitment strategy, advising Tinubu needed to urgently restructure his inner circle and broaden appointments beyond regional considerations.

“Tinubu’s major shortfall is recruitment. He selected people regionally. He must consider a radical overhaul of his lieutenants,” Omotola insisted.

Despite this, he expressed optimism that the 2027 elections would witness one of the highest voter turnouts in recent history, noting that Nigerians were becoming increasingly politically conscious and eager to participate in the democratic process.

On Lagos politics, Omotola described Hamzat’s predicted emergence as governor as an “organic transition,” noting that it would be the first time a deputy governor would seamlessly succeed a sitting governor in the state.

He corroborated that Hamzat’s years of experience in government and grassroots political engagement positioned him to effectively manage the growing challenges facing Lagos.

In his words, the next administration in Lagos would need to confront mounting pressure on infrastructure caused by rapid population growth and urban migration.

He asserted: “There is so much work to be done in Lagos because the infrastructure continues to be stretched daily by the influx of people into the state”.

Omotola therefore advised politicians who lost during recent primary elections not to lose hope or become bitter, describing politics as a continuous process.

“If it does not work today, it may work tomorrow. They should keep moving because politics is a family affair and everything will eventually be resolved,” he admonished.

Speaking on insecurity, the CFLgroup Convener cautioned against politicising security challenges, insisting that the menace remained a work still in progress for the government and security agencies.

He declared: “We cannot politicise insecurity because it concerns human lives. Bad news sells more than good news, so people tend to hear more about failures than the successes recorded by security agencies”.

Omotola was persistent, saying that President Tinubu remained capable of convincing Nigerians to support his administration ahead of the next election, arguing that the opposition had yet to present a clear alternative vision for the country.

He stressed that Nigeria’s economic revival would depend largely on productivity, industrial growth, and sustained infrastructure development rather than politics alone.

Omotola posited: “The only way to beat poverty is through productivity. Factories must work, construction must continue, and Nigerians themselves must become productive”.