Strong signals from Lagos political circles indicate that President Bola Tinubu and the influential Governance Advisory Council (GAC) have endorsed Hon. Ayo Gbeleyi as the preferred running mate for Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat ahead of the state’s upcoming political transition.
Party insiders say consultations within the All Progressives Congress (APC) leadership have overwhelmingly favored the Lagos West technocrat, whose profile reportedly meets both political and governance criteria.
An indigene of Oshodi-Isolo Local Government Area and a respected Awori son, Gbeleyi’s selection follows extensive discussions with party elders, influential blocs, and key stakeholders statewide. Sources indicate that his rise reflects a blend of political balance, technocratic skill, party loyalty, and proven experience in public finance, infrastructure, and private sector management.
Political analysts highlight Lagos West as the state’s largest voting bloc, making Gbeleyi’s emergence a strategic move to consolidate APC dominance while addressing long-standing calls for stronger indigenous representation at the state’s executive level.
Gbeleyi’s public service record spans critical positions in both Lagos State and the federal government. He has served as Special Adviser on Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) in Lagos State, Commissioner for Finance, and Chairman of the Board at the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria. Currently, he is the Director-General of the Bureau of Public Enterprises, a key federal agency driving privatization and public sector reforms.
Beyond government service, Gbeleyi built an extensive career in finance, investment advisory, and project funding, earning respect among corporate stakeholders. His expertise in finance, taxation, PPPs, and investment management complements Hamzat’s governance approach, particularly in infrastructure, urban renewal, and revenue sustainability.
A fellow of both the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria and the Chartered Institute of Taxation, Gbeleyi also attended executive programs at London Business School, Harvard Kennedy School, and Lagos Business School.
With backing from President Tinubu and GAC, Gbeleyi’s emergence is viewed by party loyalists as a development capable of reshaping Lagos APC’s political calculations ahead of the governorship race.
