Lagos State deputy governor Obafemi Hamzat may face a constitutional challenge to his eligibility to run for governor in 2027, following remarks by African Democratic Congress (ADC) governorship candidate Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour. During an interview, Rhodes-Vivour alleged that Hamzat had taken an oath of allegiance to the United States, raising questions about whether such an oath would disqualify him from holding elective office in Nigeria under the country's constitution.
The allegation comes at a sensitive time for Lagos politics. Hamzat, a former Lagos State commissioner for works and infrastructure, has been a key figure in the administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu since 2019. His potential candidacy for the governorship has been widely anticipated, particularly as the APC consolidates its structure ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Rhodes-Vivour's challenge touches on a provision in Nigeria's 1999 Constitution (as amended) that addresses the issue of dual allegiance. Section 137 of the constitution requires that a person seeking election to any legislative or executive office must not have allegiance to a foreign state. The specific interpretation of what constitutes a breach of this provision, and whether an oath administered abroad would trigger disqualification, has not been definitively settled in Nigerian jurisprudence.
In response, Hamzat's aides have described the allegation as "baseless" and "politically motivated." A statement from his office said the deputy governor's loyalty is "unquestionably to Nigeria and the good people of Lagos State," adding that any oath taken was in a personal capacity and does not constitute an allegiance to a foreign power.
The exchange highlights the growing tension within Lagos's political class as the 2027 election cycle approaches. While the APC has not officially nominated a candidate, Hamzat is widely seen as a leading contender. Rhodes-Vivour, who contested the 2023 governorship election on the ADC ticket, has positioned himself as a critic of the incumbent administration's record.
Legal analysts told PREMIUM TIMES that the question of Hamzat's eligibility would likely be decided by the courts if the matter proceeds that far. "The constitution is clear that no person shall be eligible for election if they owe allegiance to a foreign state," said Professor of Law Adewale Obadina. "But the practical question is what amounts to such allegiance, and whether an oath taken outside Nigeria's jurisdiction would be interpreted as such."
Rhodes-Vivour's challenge also reflects broader dynamics within Lagos's political landscape. The ADC candidate has frequently criticized the Sanwo-Olu administration's handling of infrastructure and security issues, and his move to challenge Hamzat's eligibility is seen by political observers as an attempt to disrupt the ruling party's succession plans.
Whether the allegation gains traction among voters or is dismissed as election-year politics remains to be seen. What is clear is that the question of Hamzat's eligibility has been formally raised, and any resolution will likely depend on how the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the courts interpret the constitutional provision in question.
As the 2027 election cycle gains momentum, further challenges to candidate eligibility are expected across several states. For now, the focus remains on whether Hamzat will formally declare his intention to run, and how his opponents will respond to the eligibility question he has now been forced to address.