Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has endorsed his deputy, Dr Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, as an experienced and worthy successor capable of sustaining the state’s development agenda.
Sanwo-Olu said Hamzat’s extensive involvement in governance had given him an understanding of Lagos’ priorities and challenges.
He spoke on Friday at the presentation of the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate’s manifesto and campaign theme in Lagos.
The governor described Hamzat as a trusted partner whose loyalty, experience and contributions had strengthened their administration over the past seven years.
He, therefore, urged Lagosians to elect Hamzat as his successor on February 6.
He recalled that Hamzat stepped aside from his governorship ambition for him (Sanwo-Olu) to become governor in 2019, following appeals by party leaders.
According to Sanwo-Olu, Hamzat subsequently agreed to serve as deputy governor, a gesture he said he had never forgotten.
Sanwo-Olu said: “I am not here merely to offer goodwill messages; I am here to testify.
“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.”
He said their partnership had endured critical moments, including the COVID-19 pandemic, the October 2020 crisis and major infrastructure developments.
The governor said: “For 2,711 days, I have had this man in the room with me.
“During the COVID-19 pandemic, when we had to shut down Africa’s largest city, he was in the room with me.
“During the darkest period of our administration in October 2020, and when the Blue and Red rail lines opened for operations, he was also there.”
Sanwo-Olu said he had never questioned Hamzat’s loyalty or commitment, describing their working relationship as unusual in Nigeria’s political environment.
He said Hamzat’s contributions extended beyond constitutional responsibilities to policy discussions, project planning, technical assessments and engagements with investors.
The governor recalled that his deputy previously served as Commissioner for Science and Technology and Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure.
He said Hamzat’s engineering background and public service experience had equipped him with considerable knowledge of Lagos’ infrastructure requirements.
Sanwo-Olu described leadership succession as a relay race, stressing that the next runner must be adequately prepared before receiving the baton.
He said: “Lagos is not a place for a first-time learner. 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.”
He explained that consolidation meant completing existing projects, addressing shortcomings and introducing complementary initiatives rather than merely repeating previous achievements.
The governor identified rail network expansion, the Fourth Mainland Bridge and other transportation initiatives as projects requiring sustained implementation.
He stressed that Lagos’ long-term development plans must survive changes in administration, warning against abandoning projects initiated by previous governments.
Sanwo-Olu also urged Hamzat to remain accessible, listen to residents and ensure that every community benefitted from development.
He called on party members and residents to examine the manifesto and assess its proposals against their expectations.
Earlier, former Lagos Deputy Governor, Mrs Sarah Sosan, said the state’s development reflected years of planning, sacrifice and purposeful leadership.
Speaking on behalf of the Governance Advisory Council (GAC), Sosan traced Lagos’ development through the administrations of President Bola Tinubu, former governors Babatunde Fashola and Akinwunmi Ambode, and Sanwo-Olu.
She said successive administrations had contributed to the state’s growth, making continuity essential for preserving achievements and addressing emerging challenges.
“Continuity does not mean that we should refuse to change. It means that we must learn from experience, build on our achievements and respond to the changing needs of our people,” she said.
Sosan said Hamzat’s experience as commissioner and deputy governor had familiarised him with government operations, development challenges and opportunities.
She identified good roads, improved transportation, quality education, affordable healthcare, security, employment, housing and environmental cleanliness as residents’ major expectations.
She urged government, businesses and residents to collaborate in sustaining Lagos’ development.
The former deputy governor congratulated Hamzat on his manifesto presentation and pledged the GAC’s commitment to the state’s progress.
Also speaking, Director-General of the PBAT-KOH Campaign Council, Sen. Musiliu Obanikoro, said the campaign would prioritise experience, continuity, inclusive development and sustained progress.
Obanikoro unveiled the campaign slogan, ‘Lagos Forward Together’, saying its engagement with residents would focus on infrastructure, transportation, education and healthcare.
Other priorities, he said, included security, economic growth and job creation.
“This election must be about issues, ideas, competence and the capacity to deliver, not personalities or political structures,” he said.
He urged party leaders and supporters to maintain unity and ensure a peaceful, disciplined and issue-based campaign.
The campaign council also unveiled its official website, www.koh2027.ng, to provide information about the candidate, manifesto and campaign activities.
Party members, GAC members and supporters attended the manifesto presentation.
