Lagos APC Governorship Candidate, Hamzat, to Unveil Manifesto October 30

The Lagos State All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate for the 2027 election, Dr Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, is set to unveil his policy agenda for the state on Friday, October 30, with a focus on consolidating existing development gains, addressing key challenges and expanding opportunities for residents.

 

The Director-General of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu–Kadri Obafemi Hamzat (PBAT–KOH) Campaign Council, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, announced this at a press conference held at the campaign office in Ikeja GRA, Lagos, on Sunday.

 

Obanikoro said the manifesto presentation, scheduled for the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts (National Arts Theatre), Iganmu, Lagos, would provide an opportunity for Hamzat to outline his vision, policy priorities and development plans for the state.

 

The event will run from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., with guests expected to arrive from 11 a.m.

 

According to Obanikoro, the campaign is anchored on continuity, shared progress and inclusivity, with a commitment to consolidating existing achievements while addressing the challenges confronting Lagos residents.

 

He said, “The future of Lagos is too important to be left to chance because the decisions we make today will determine the opportunities available to our children, the strength of our economy, and the quality of life of millions of people who call this state home.”

 

Obanikoro acknowledged the significant progress recorded in Lagos over the years but stressed that more needed to be done to improve living conditions and expand opportunities across the state.

 

“Continuity is not about doing things the same way simply because they have been done before. It is about protecting what works, correcting what needs improvement and building on existing progress,” he said.

 

He maintained that Lagos could not afford to abandon the foundations of its development, emphasising the need for experienced leadership, strategic planning and practical solutions to emerging challenges.

 

On inclusivity, the campaign director-general said the council was committed to ensuring that no resident was discriminated against on the grounds of religion, ethnicity, gender, social status or place of origin.

 

According to him, every resident and taxpayer has a stake in the state’s future, while the interests and heritage of indigenous communities must be respected and preserved.

 

“Lagos belongs to all of us who call it home, while respecting and preserving the indigenous people of Lagos State. Every resident and taxpayer has a stake in its future, and every community deserves to be heard,” he said.

 

Describing Lagos as Africa’s leading commercial hub, Obanikoro highlighted its contributions to Nigeria’s economic growth, investment, technology, innovation and cultural development.

 

He noted, however, that the state’s estimated population of about 25 million, coupled with its limited landmass and cosmopolitan character, placed considerable pressure on transportation, housing, infrastructure, healthcare, education, security and environmental management.

 

He said these challenges required a government with the experience and capacity to respond effectively to the demands of a rapidly growing population.

 

Obanikoro traced the state’s development to successive administrations, beginning with that of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu during his tenure as governor, followed by the administrations of Babatunde Raji Fashola, Akinwunmi Ambode and the incumbent governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

 

According to him, successive administrations have built on earlier foundations in infrastructure, transportation, education, healthcare, urban development and economic growth.

 

He cited the Blue and Red rail lines, road and bridge projects, improvements in schools and hospitals, housing initiatives and support for businesses and young people as examples of progress recorded under the Sanwo-Olu administration.

 

Obanikoro said Hamzat, who currently serves as deputy governor, would draw on his experience in government to consolidate these achievements, tackle outstanding challenges and improve public services.

 

Highlighting the candidate’s qualifications, he said Hamzat’s combination of private-sector experience and years in public service had equipped him with the knowledge required to manage the complexities of Lagos.

 

He noted that Hamzat obtained a PhD in Systems Process Engineering from Cranfield University, England, at the age of 28 and subsequently worked with international financial institutions, including Merrill Lynch, Morgan Stanley and Citibank, in the United States before joining public service.

 

Hamzat later served as a commissioner in Lagos State and became deputy governor under the Sanwo-Olu administration.

 

Obanikoro argued that the candidate’s professional background and government experience would help him develop policies to address the state’s economic and social challenges.

 

He also disclosed that the campaign council had been consulting stakeholders across Lagos to incorporate residents’ concerns and aspirations into its development agenda.

 

Those consulted, he said, included religious leaders, traditional rulers, market women, traders, young people, professionals, artisans, community leaders and other interest groups.

 

He explained that the consultations were designed to ensure that the campaign’s priorities reflected the realities of residents and the needs of different communities.

 

“Leadership must listen before it acts. We want the concerns of ordinary Lagosians to inform our priorities. We want a development agenda that reflects the realities of our people,” he said.

 

Obanikoro invited party members, stakeholders, journalists and members of the public to follow the manifesto presentation, noting that attendance would be strictly by invitation because of limited seating at the venue.

 

He said the event would be broadcast live from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Channels Television, ARISE News, TVC, Lagos Television (LTV), News Central and the campaign’s digital media platforms, including YouTube, Facebook and Instagram.

 

He added that arrangements would be made to publish the manifesto online after the presentation to allow members of the public to access and scrutinise its proposals.

 

According to him, members of the public would be encouraged to study the document and submit constructive comments and suggestions through appropriate party channels.

 

He said the campaign considered public participation essential to developing policies that would serve the interests of Lagos residents.

 

Obanikoro described the 2027 governorship election as an opportunity for Lagosians to assess the state’s development priorities and determine the leadership needed to sustain progress.

 

He reaffirmed the campaign’s commitment to continuity, inclusivity and shared development, urging residents to support its vision for the state.

 

“Our commitment is to move forward, build on our achievements, and work together for a better state,” he said.

 

He added, “The message of this campaign is clear: Lagos, let us move forward together.”