The Ayangburen and Paramount Ruler of Ikorodu Kingdom, Oba Kabiru Adewale Shotobi, has officially declared his unwavering support for the Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr. Kadiri Obafemi Hamzat, to succeed Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu as the next Governor of Lagos State.

In a strongly-worded press statement, the monarch, who also serves as the Permanent Vice Chairman of the Lagos State Council of Obas and Chiefs, reaffirmed his deep-rooted ties to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) while clearing the air regarding a controversial video circulating online.

Oba Shotobi emphasized Ikorodu’s long-standing political identity, noting that the kingdom has consistently backed the progressive bloc since the era of the Alliance for Democracy (AD) through to the formation of the APC.

To underscore his loyalty to the party’s hierarchy, the monarch recalled his pivotal roles in major political milestones, including accompanying Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to Abuja to pick his initial nomination form and moving the motion for the endorsement of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s second-term bid during an APC stakeholders meeting at the Eko Hotel.

“I have stated the above to establish that my loyalty to the ruling party and Ikorodu Division is never in doubt,” Oba Shotobi affirmed.

Addressing a recent viral video showing him hosting an APC gubernatorial aspirant, the traditional ruler clarified that the audience was granted in good faith and solely because the individual is a card-carrying member of the ruling party.

“The recent video where I received an APC gubernatorial aspirant was done in good faith and in the interest of the party. If he was not a member of the APC, I would not have entertained him,” the King stated, reassuring party loyalists that the move should not be misinterpreted as a shift in allegiance.

Putting an end to speculations, the Ayangburen explicitly endorsed Dr. Kadiri Obafemi Hamzat as the consensus choice for the upcoming APC primaries, asserting that the established political structure of Lagos State remains unshakable.

“We in Ikorodu Division are in total support of the nomination and eventual victory of the APC consensus candidate in the forthcoming primaries in person of His Excellency Dr. Kadiri Obafemi Hamzat as the next Governor of Lagos State,” the statement read.

Urging residents across the five administrative divisions of Lagos—Ikorodu, Epe, Badagry, Ikeja, and Lagos Island—to rally behind the Deputy Governor, Oba Shotobi praised Hamzat’s extensive administrative experience.

“Dr. Hamzat is not new to the system, he understands the workings of Lagos State Government and I believe that he will take Lagos State to the next level,” the monarch concluded, closing with the popular state slogan, “Igbega Ipinle Eko, ajumose ni” (The progress of Lagos State is a collective responsibility).