Obanikoro says APC candidate will build on Sanwo-Olu’s achievements
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By Lukman Olabiyi
The All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Lagos State for the 2027 election, Dr Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, will unveil his manifesto on Friday, 30 October, as the party seeks to consolidate its achievements and sustain the state’s development trajectory.
Director-General of the PBAT-KOH Campaign Council, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, announced this on Sunday at a press conference held at the campaign office in GRA, Ikeja, Lagos.
Obanikoro said the manifesto launch, scheduled to hold at the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts, formerly the National Arts Theatre, Iganmu, between 3pm and 5pm, would provide an opportunity for Hamzat to present his vision, policy priorities and plans for the state.
He said arrivals would begin at 11am, adding that the event would be strictly by invitation because of limited seating capacity, while the proceedings would be broadcast live on Channels Television, ARISE TV, TVC, Lagos Television, News Central and the campaign’s digital platforms.
According to Obanikoro, Hamzat’s campaign is anchored on continuity, shared progress and inclusivity, with a commitment to building on existing achievements while addressing the challenges confronting Lagos residents.
He described Lagos as a strategic centre of commerce, investment, technology, innovation and culture, noting that its estimated population of about 25 million people and limited landmass placed 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.
The former minister said successive administrations of former governors Bola Tinubu, Babatunde Fashola and Akinwunmi Ambode, as well as the incumbent governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, had contributed to the state’s development in infrastructure, transportation, education, healthcare, urban development and economic growth.
He argued that continuity should not be mistaken for maintaining the status quo, but should involve preserving successful policies, correcting shortcomings and introducing practical solutions to emerging challenges.
“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.
He expressed confidence that Hamzat’s background in engineering, private-sector experience and years in public service had prepared him to lead Lagos.
According to him, the APC candidate earned a PhD in Systems Process Engineering from Cranfield University, England, at the age of 28, and previously worked with international financial institutions, including Merrill Lynch, Morgan Stanley and Citibank in the United States.
Obanikoro added that Hamzat’s experience as a three-time commissioner and deputy governor had given him an understanding of both business and public administration.
He said the candidate would draw on his experience in government to consolidate the Sanwo-Olu administration’s achievements, citing the Blue and Red rail lines, road and bridge projects, improvements in schools and hospitals, housing developments and initiatives supporting businesses and young people.
The campaign director-general also disclosed that Hamzat and the campaign council had held consultations with religious leaders, traditional rulers, market women, traders, young people, professionals, artisans, community leaders and other stakeholders across the state.
He said the consultations were intended to ensure that the candidate’s policy priorities reflected the concerns and aspirations of Lagos residents.
“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 urged residents, party members, stakeholders and the media to follow the manifesto presentation, adding that arrangements would be made for the document to be available for download after the launch.
He said the campaign would welcome constructive comments and suggestions from members of the public to enrich the proposals.
“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,” he said.
He added that the campaign’s message was to move Lagos forward through collective effort, sustained development and opportunities for all residents.
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