By Debo Omilani
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has expressed confidence in his deputy, Dr Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, describing him as a trusted partner capable of sustaining the state’s development and preserving its governance structure.
Sanwo-Olu declared that he was confident Hamzat would not disrupt the existing system of governance when he succeeded him as governor, citing their seven years of working together as evidence of trust, cooperation and shared commitment to the development of Lagos.
The governor spoke on Friday during the unveiling of the manifesto and campaign theme of the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate for the 2027 Lagos State election.
Reflecting on the political events leading to the 2019 governorship election, Sanwo-Olu recalled that Hamzat had initially been determined to contest the election and possessed the experience, political support and credentials to pursue his ambition.
He, however, said Hamzat agreed to step down following appeals from party leaders and subsequently accepted to run alongside him as deputy governor barely five weeks later.
Sanwo-Olu described the decision as a demonstration of Hamzat’s commitment to party unity and collective leadership.
“I have never forgotten that,” he said.
The governor said his years of working closely with Hamzat had given him firsthand knowledge of his character, competence and contributions to the state beyond what the public could see.
He cited their joint response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the October 2020 crisis and the delivery of major infrastructure projects, including the Lagos Blue Line, Red Line and Lekki Deep Sea Port.
According to him, Hamzat played important roles in ensuring continuity in government operations, particularly when he travelled outside the state to attract investments.
Sanwo-Olu also commended his deputy for maintaining a cordial working relationship with him, noting that disagreements between governors and their deputies had undermined governance in some states.
“In seven years, there has not been a single day when I had to wonder whose side my deputy was on,” he said.
He added that Hamzat had fulfilled his promise to become one of the most dedicated deputy governors in the history of Lagos State.
Highlighting Hamzat’s experience in public service, Sanwo-Olu recalled that his deputy had served as commissioner under former governors Bola Tinubu and Babatunde Fashola.
He credited Hamzat with contributing to the computerisation of government operations, efforts to eliminate ghost workers from the state payroll and the development of the Lagos Resident Card initiative.
The governor also highlighted Hamzat’s tenure as Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure under Fashola, during which he participated in road construction projects across the state’s five divisions and the delivery of the Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge.
Sanwo-Olu said Hamzat’s engineering background and experience in federal public service had given him a broad understanding of infrastructure development and governance.
Using a relay race as an analogy, the governor argued that successful political transitions require proper preparation, institutional knowledge and continuity.
He cited the transitions from Tinubu to Fashola, Fashola to Akinwunmi Ambode and subsequently to his administration as examples of the importance of continuity in Lagos governance.
According to him, Hamzat’s seven years as deputy governor, in addition to his previous years in public service, had adequately prepared him for the state’s top political office.
“This is not the time to experiment with governance. This is the time to consolidate,” Sanwo-Olu declared.
He clarified that continuity did not mean repeating existing policies without improvement but completing ongoing projects, addressing outstanding challenges and introducing fresh initiatives.
The governor further said Hamzat’s manifesto commitments included placing residents at the centre of government decisions, supporting small businesses and promoting inclusive development irrespective of ethnicity, gender or social status.
He added that the APC candidate had pledged to protect the heritage of Lagos’ indigenous communities.
Reflecting on his remaining months in office, Sanwo-Olu said one of his greatest sources of satisfaction was the prospect of handing over power peacefully without internal political disagreements.
He described a smooth transition between administrations as an important achievement, particularly in view of political disputes that had characterised some governorship successions in the country.
“That is what gives a governor the confidence to leave office knowing that he is handing over to someone who will not break the house,” he said.
Sanwo-Olu urged Lagos residents to continue supporting the government’s development agenda, engage with ongoing initiatives and ensure the completion of projects across the state.
He expressed optimism that the transition scheduled for May 2027 would be peaceful, subject to the outcome of the election.
Unveiling his manifestos and campaign theme, All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Dr Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, disclosed that he’s seeking to earn the trust of residents rather than merely solicit their votes ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
Describing the forthcoming election as consequential for the future of Lagos and Nigeria, the governorship candidate said his ambition was to share his vision, explain areas requiring improvement and demonstrate his preparedness to serve the people.
“I therefore stand before you today not simply to ask for your votes, but to earn your trust, share my vision for Lagos, explain what I believe we must do differently, and demonstrate why I am prepared to serve you,” he said.
Hamzat traced his interest in public service to his childhood, recalling an encounter with the late nationalist leader, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, when he was 14 years old.
According to him, Awolowo stopped close enough for him to touch him and later gave him an opportunity to sit face-to-face with him.
Hamzat said the encounter left a lasting impression, particularly the Awolowo’s message about leadership and public service.
“He said, and I quote: ‘A nation rises only when people of honour and ability choose to serve.’
“Those words have lingered in my mind for decades,” he recalled.
The APC candidate attributed his political orientation and values to his family background, disclosing that his father was a banker who later devoted his life to progressive politics.
He said his father was elected into the Lagos State House of Assembly in 1979 before being appointed Commissioner for Public Transportation by the then governor, Alhaji Lateef Jakande, serving until 1983.
Hamzat also recalled that his mother’s roots in Igbogbe, Lagos Island, exposed him to the political and cultural traditions of Lagos.
He said the political influences from both sides of his family shaped his understanding of the state and his approach to public service.
The candidate further recalled his childhood in Mushin, where he attended Oduduwa Memorial Primary School, saying his experiences in the community helped him understand the everyday challenges confronting ordinary residents.
He explained that living in Mushin exposed him to the importance of functional drainage systems, particularly during the rainy season, and reliable electricity for small business owners.
“I learned what a clear drain means to a street during the rainy season. I learned what steady electricity means to a trader at four o’clock in the afternoon,” he said.
Hamzat noted that these childhood experiences had continued to influence his approach to governance throughout his public service career.
Speaking on Lagos’ transportation development, he recalled that the state conceived a railway project known as the Metroline during his father’s tenure as commissioner.
He said the project was not completed at the time, leaving generations of Lagos residents waiting for its actualisation.
Recounting his father’s attachment to the railway vision, Hamzat said he kept a model train in his living room until his death.
He noted that Lagos had since commenced operations on its modern rail network, adding that he had served in an administration that continued and delivered the state’s railway development.
The APC candidate said his vision for Lagos was anchored on experience, continuity, inclusive governance and sustained development.
He also emphasised the need to ensure that every resident, irrespective of ethnicity, religion, occupation or social status, had a stake in the development of the state.
Hamzat’s presentation formed part of the APC’s preparations for the 2027 governorship election, with the candidate seeking to build his campaign around trust, institutional experience and the consolidation of Lagos’ development agenda.
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