Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has thrown his full support behind his deputy, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, endorsing him as the most qualified candidate to carry forward the state’s ambitious development roadmap.
Speaking on Friday at the official unveiling of the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate’s manifesto and campaign theme, Sanwo-Olu emphasized that Hamzat’s extensive track record equips him with a deep understanding of the mega-city’s complex dynamics and priorities.
Reflecting on their seven-year working relationship, the governor praised Hamzat’s unwavering loyalty and shared commitment. He recalled the 2018 political arrangement when Hamzat agreed to step down from his own gubernatorial bid following party appeals, choosing instead to serve as his running mate—a decision Sanwo-Olu described as an enduring act of statesmanship.
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“I am not here merely to offer goodwill messages; I am here to testify,” Sanwo-Olu stated. “Only someone who has worked closely with a man can tell you what he is like when the cameras are gone and the doors are closed.”
Sanwo-Olu pointed to their joint leadership through some of the state’s most challenging chapters, spanning over 2,700 days in office. These trials included navigating the unprecedented COVID-19 lockdowns in Africa’s largest metropolis, managing the turbulence of October 2020, and successfully delivering landmark transit projects such as the Blue and Red rail lines.
Beyond his constitutional duties, Hamzat has contributed significantly to policy formulation, technical evaluations, and major infrastructure initiatives, bolstered by his previous cabinet roles overseeing Science and Technology as well as Works and Infrastructure.
Comparing governance to a relay race, Sanwo-Olu stressed that handing over the baton requires an experienced and ready partner.
“Lagos is not a place for a first-time learner,” the governor noted. “A city of more than 23 million people cannot afford to experiment with governance. This is not the time to experiment with Lagos; it is time for consolidation.”
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Sanwo-Olu underscored that consolidation requires driving ongoing strategic projects to completion—including the Fourth Mainland Bridge and broader mass transit expansions—to guarantee that the state’s long-term master plan remains unbroken across political transitions.
Backing the call for sustained progress, former Lagos Deputy Governor Sarah Sosan addressed the gathering on behalf of the Governance Advisory Council (GAC). She credited the state’s transformation to an unbroken chain of strategic governance that started under President Bola Tinubu and continued through former governors Babatunde Fashola and Akinwunmi Ambode, down to the current administration.
“Continuity does not mean that we should refuse to change,” Sosan explained. “It means that we must learn from experience, build on our achievements, and respond to the changing needs of our people.”
Sosan affirmed that Hamzat’s deep public service background gives him the insight necessary to address residents’ key expectations, from road and transit networks to education, healthcare, public safety, and economic opportunity.
Musiliu Obanikoro has formally outlined his campaign blueprint, pledging a focus on proven leadership, uninterrupted governance, inclusive growth, and long-term socio-economic advancement for Lagos.
Launching under the official banner ‘Lagos Forward Together’, the campaign’s core platform centers on major structural priorities, notably modernising infrastructure, expanding transport networks, upgrading healthcare delivery, and revamping education.
Strengthening security frameworks, stimulating local enterprise, and boosting job opportunities were also spotlighted as vital pillars of the strategic roadmap.
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Obanikoro stressed that the race should be defined by substantive policy debate rather than political rhetoric. He noted that the upcoming contest must hinge on measurable capability, sound governance ideas, and tangible execution rather than party machinery or personality contests.
Addressing party stakeholders and loyalists, he called for steadfast solidarity, urging members to run a calm, well-coordinated, and policy-driven push across all communities.
To broaden voter engagement, the campaign introduced its digital hub, www.koh2027.ng, designed to give the public direct access to the policy manifesto, candidate profile, and schedule of activities.
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The manifesto unveiling drew a significant gathering of political figures, members of the Governance Advisory Council (GAC), and party faithful.
