…Sanwo-Olu endorses deputy, urges Lagosians to support his governorship ambition
The Deputy Governor of Lagos State and All Progressives Congress (APC) Governorship candidate for the 2027 election, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, has pledged to run an inclusive, people-oriented administration that will guarantee equal opportunities for all residents, irrespective of their ethnic, religious or socioeconomic backgrounds.
Hamzat made the commitment on Friday during the official unveiling of his manifesto and campaign theme, tagged “The Lagos Promise”, at the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and the Creative Arts (National Theatre), Iganmu, Lagos.
The event, themed “Lagos… Forward Together,” provided an opportunity for the APC governorship candidate to outline his vision for the state, calling on residents to trust him with their mandate in the forthcoming 2027 governorship election.
Hamzat promised to prioritise the welfare of residents, particularly children and vulnerable groups, while strengthening critical sectors, including healthcare, education and social development.
He emphasised that the protection, development and well-being of children would remain central to his administration, noting that the future of Lagos depended largely on how effectively the younger generation was nurtured and empowered.
“Therefore, our children must be protected. That is why children sit at the heart of my plan,” he stated.
The APC candidate explained that The Lagos Promise was conceived as a social contract between his prospective administration and the people, structured around seven strategic pillars and 100 specific pledges.
According to him, the manifesto was deliberately designed to be detailed and measurable, enabling residents to monitor implementation, evaluate performance and hold the government accountable for its commitments.
He further assured Lagosians that his administration would focus on delivering practical policies and public services capable of improving living standards and creating opportunities across the state.
Speaking at the event, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu endorsed Hamzat’s governorship ambition, urging Lagos residents to support his deputy as his successor in 2027.
Sanwo-Olu described Hamzat as a loyal, dependable and experienced partner who had remained committed to the administration’s vision and development agenda throughout their seven years in office.
The governor recalled Hamzat’s political maturity in 2018, when he stepped down from the governorship contest following appeals by APC leaders to allow Sanwo-Olu emerge as the party’s candidate.
He said Hamzat had consistently demonstrated leadership capacity through his involvement in successive administrations and his occupation of strategic positions in the Lagos State Government.
Sanwo-Olu expressed confidence that his deputy’s experience, institutional knowledge and understanding of the state’s governance structure would position him to sustain and advance Lagos’ development trajectory.
He also recalled that more than 657,000 APC members voted for Hamzat across the state’s wards and local government areas during the party’s governorship primary on May 21, 2026.
The governor urged the party faithful to translate their support into broader electoral mobilisation by taking the campaign to every community.
He charged them to promote Hamzat’s candidacy “from street to street, ward to ward, and door to door.”
Earlier, Lagos State APC Chairman, Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi, described the manifesto as a covenant between the party, its candidate and the electorate.
Ojelabi expressed confidence in Hamzat’s ability to lead Lagos into its next phase of development, citing his private-sector experience, public-service record and years of service as Deputy Governor.
He noted that the APC-led administration had established a strong foundation in infrastructure, transportation, education, healthcare, housing, technology and economic development.
According to him, the incoming administration would consolidate these achievements while introducing fresh initiatives to address emerging challenges and meet the aspirations of Lagos residents.
The high-profile event attracted former Lagos State governors, including former Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN; members of the Governance Advisory Council (GAC); serving and former lawmakers; traditional rulers; party leaders and other political stakeholders.
