The Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) will unveil the manifesto of its 2027 governorship candidate, Dr Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, on Friday, October 30, 2026, ahead of next year’s governorship election.
The Director-General of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-Kadri Obafemi Hamzat (PBAT-KOH) Campaign Council, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, announced this at a press conference held at the campaign office in Ikeja GRA, Lagos, on Sunday.
Obanikoro said the manifesto launch, scheduled to take place at the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts, (National Arts Theatre), Iganmu, Lagos, would provide an opportunity for Hamzat to present his vision, policy priorities and development plans for the state.
The event is scheduled to run from 3pm to 5pm, although guests are expected to begin arriving from 11am.
According to Obanikoro, the campaign is anchored on the principles of continuity, shared progress and inclusivity, with a commitment to building on existing achievements while addressing the challenges confronting Lagos residents.
He said, “The future of Lagos is too important to be left to chance because the decisions we make today will determine the opportunities available to our children, the strength of our economy, and the quality of life of millions of people who call this state home.”
Obanikoro noted that although Lagos had recorded significant progress over the years, more work remained to be done to improve living conditions and expand opportunities across the state.
“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,” he said.
He maintained that Lagos could not afford to abandon the foundations of its development, stressing the need for experienced leadership, strategic planning and practical solutions to emerging challenges.
Obanikoro also emphasised the importance of inclusivity, saying the campaign was committed to ensuring that residents were not discriminated against on the grounds of religion, ethnicity, gender, social status or place of origin.
According to him, every resident and taxpayer has a stake in the future of Lagos, while the interests and heritage of the state’s indigenous communities must also be respected and preserved.
“Lagos belongs to all of us who call it home, while respecting and preserving the indigenous people of Lagos State. Every resident and taxpayer has a stake in its future, and every community deserves to be heard,” he said.
The campaign director-general described Lagos as Africa’s leading commercial hub, with significant contributions to Nigeria’s economic growth, investment, technology, innovation and cultural development.
He noted, however, that the state’s estimated population of about 25 million people, coupled with its limited landmass and cosmopolitan character, placed considerable pressure on transportation, housing, infrastructure, healthcare, education, security and environmental management.
Obanikoro said these challenges required a government with the experience and capacity to respond effectively to the demands of a rapidly growing population.
He highlighted the contributions of successive administrations, beginning with that of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu during his tenure as Lagos State governor, followed by the administrations of Babatunde Raji Fashola, Akinwunmi Ambode and the incumbent governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
According to him, the successive governments have built on earlier foundations in infrastructure, transportation, education, healthcare, urban development and economic growth.
He cited the development of the Blue and Red rail lines, road and bridge projects, improvements in schools and hospitals, housing initiatives and support for businesses and young people as examples of progress recorded under the Sanwo-Olu administration.
Obanikoro said Hamzat, who currently serves as deputy governor, would draw on his experience in government to consolidate these achievements, address outstanding challenges and improve public services.
On the candidate’s qualifications, the campaign director-general said Hamzat’s combination of private-sector experience and years in public service had equipped him with the knowledge required to manage the complexities of Lagos.
He noted that Hamzat obtained a PhD in Systems Process Engineering from Cranfield University in England at the age of 28 and worked with international financial institutions, including Merrill Lynch, Morgan Stanley and Citibank, in the United States before joining public service.
Hamzat subsequently served as a commissioner in Lagos State and has been deputy governor under the Sanwo-Olu administration.
Obanikoro argued that the candidate’s professional background and experience in government would help him develop policies capable of addressing the state’s economic and social challenges.
He also disclosed that the campaign council had been consulting widely with stakeholders across Lagos as part of efforts to incorporate the concerns and aspirations of residents into its development agenda.
Those consulted, he said, included religious leaders, traditional rulers, market women, traders, young people, professionals, artisans, community leaders and other interest groups.
He explained that the consultations were intended to ensure that the campaign’s priorities reflected the realities of the people and the needs of different communities.
“Leadership must listen before it acts. We want the concerns of ordinary Lagosians to inform our priorities. We want a development agenda that reflects the realities of our people,” he said.
Obanikoro invited party members, stakeholders, journalists and members of the public to follow the manifesto presentation, adding that the event would be strictly by invitation because of limited seating at the venue.
He said the proceedings would be broadcast live between 3pm and 5pm on Channels Television, ARISE News, TVC, Lagos Television (LTV), News Central and the campaign’s digital media platforms, including YouTube, Facebook and Instagram.
He further disclosed that arrangements would be made to publish the manifesto online for public access and scrutiny after the presentation.
According to him, members of the public would be encouraged to study the proposals and submit constructive comments and suggestions through appropriate party channels.
He said the campaign believed that public participation was essential to developing policies that would serve the interests of Lagos residents.
Obanikoro said the 2027 governorship contest presented an opportunity for Lagosians to consider the state’s development priorities and the leadership required to sustain progress.
He reaffirmed the campaign’s commitment to continuity, inclusivity and shared development, urging residents to support its vision for the state.
“Our commitment is to move forward, build on our achievements, and work together for a better state,” he said.
He added, “The message of this campaign is clear: Lagos, let us move forward together.”