Gistlife Opinion Poll: Opposition in Disarray as Hamzat Emerges Early Front-Runner in Lagos Governorship Race

As political activities gradually gather momentum ahead of the next governorship election in Lagos State, an opinion poll conducted by the Gistlife team indicates that many residents believe the opposition has yet to present a formidable challenge to the ruling party, with Deputy Governor Dr. Obafemi Hamzat widely seen by respondents as the early favourite.

The opinion poll, carried out across selected parts of Lagos, found that several respondents described the opposition parties as disorganised and lacking the visibility required to mount a serious contest against the state’s deputy governor, who is now the flagbearer.

Speaking during the survey, Bashiru Badmus said the political atmosphere in Lagos appears different from what was witnessed during the last general election, when opposition parties, particularly the Labour Party, generated significant public attention.

According to him, the current political landscape suggests that opposition parties have lost momentum, leaving Hamzat with little visible competition at this stage of the race.

“In the last general election, we heard a lot about the Labour Party and other opposition parties. This time around, they appear to have gone quiet. From what we are seeing, Hamzat has no serious rival because the opposition has gone to sleep,” he said.

Another respondent, Mrs. Folashade, a petty trader, expressed a similar view, saying that while opposition politicians are still holding meetings and forming alliances, they have yet to produce a candidate capable of challenging the ruling party’s flagbearer.

She noted that many residents are paying closer attention to the campaigns of the All Progressives Congress (APC), adding that the absence of a prominent opposition candidate has created the impression that the race currently lacks the level of competition seen in previous election cycles.

The findings reflect the opinions of the respondents interviewed by the Gistlife team and do not represent official election projections. Political observers, however, note that campaigns are still in their early stages, and the political landscape could change as parties conclude their preparations and unveil their candidates ahead of the election.