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The All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Lagos State, Obafemi Hamzat, will on Friday, October 30, unveil his manifesto for the 2027 election, with a pledge to consolidate the achievements of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, while tackling the mounting challenges of housing, transportation, infrastructure and other essential services confronting residents.
Director-General of the PBAT-KOH Campaign Council, Musiliu Obanikoro, announced this yesterday at a press conference held at the campaign office in GRA, Ikeja, Lagos, declaring that the party’s governorship candidate would pursue continuity without necessarily maintaining the status quo.
He said the manifesto would outline Hamzat’s vision, policy priorities and practical solutions to the challenges facing Africa’s most populous commercial hub, particularly the pressure on public infrastructure and services arising from rapid population growth.
“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,” Obanikoro said.
The former minister explained that the campaign was anchored on continuity, shared progress and inclusivity, stressing that Hamzat’s experience as deputy governor and former commissioner placed him in a position to sustain the state’s development trajectory.
He noted that successive administrations of former governors Bola Tinubu, Babatunde Fashola and Akinwunmi Ambode, as well as the incumbent governor, Sanwo-Olu, had contributed to Lagos’ development in transportation, education, healthcare, infrastructure and economic growth.
According to him, the challenge before the next administration is to consolidate those achievements while responding to the changing needs of an expanding population.
Obanikoro said Lagos, with an estimated population of 25 million people and limited landmass, faced enormous pressure on transportation, housing, infrastructure, healthcare, security and environmental management.
“These challenges require experienced leadership, careful planning and the ability to deliver results. Lagos needs a government that understands its people, builds on past achievements and responds to the demands of a growing population,” he said.
He expressed confidence that Hamzat’s educational background, private-sector experience and years in public service had adequately prepared him for the responsibility of governing the state.
According to him, Hamzat obtained a PhD in Systems Process Engineering from Cranfield University, England, at the age of 28 and worked with international financial institutions, including Merrill Lynch, Morgan Stanley and Citibank in the United States.
He said Hamzat’s service as a three-time commissioner and deputy governor had equipped him with practical knowledge of governance, public administration and economic development.
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Obanikoro identified the Blue and Red rail lines, road and bridge projects, improvements in schools and hospitals, housing developments and programmes supporting businesses and young people among the achievements of the Sanwo-Olu administration that the candidate would seek to consolidate.
He maintained that the campaign was not merely about continuing existing projects but also about identifying shortcomings and introducing measures to improve the quality of life of Lagos residents.
The campaign director-general disclosed that Hamzat and members of the campaign council had held consultations with religious leaders, traditional rulers, market women, traders, young people, professionals, artisans and community leaders across the state.
He said the engagements were intended to ensure that the manifesto reflected the expectations and everyday concerns of residents rather than imposing policies without adequate public input.
“Leadership must listen before it acts. We want the concerns of ordinary Lagosians to inform our priorities and a development agenda that reflects the realities of our people,” he said.
Obanikoro announced that the manifesto presentation would hold at the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts, formerly the National Arts Theatre, Iganmu, Lagos, between 3pm and 5pm on Friday.
He said guests would begin arriving at 11am, adding that attendance would be strictly by invitation because of limited seating capacity.
However, he assured residents that the programme would be broadcast live on Channels Television, ARISE TV, TVC, Lagos Television, News Central and the campaign’s digital platforms.
He added that arrangements would be made for the manifesto to be available for download after its presentation, while the campaign would welcome constructive comments and suggestions from the public.
“The choice before Lagos is about the future we want to build and how best to sustain our progress. Our campaign offers a clear commitment to shared goals, inclusivity, experience and continued development,” Obanikoro said.
He maintained that the campaign’s central message was to move Lagos forward through collective effort, sustained development and expanded opportunities for residents.
