The Lagos State governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr Obafemi Hamzat, has unveiled his manifesto, titled “The Lagos Promise“, outlining plans to build on the state’s developmental achievements while addressing emerging challenges.
The manifesto was presented at the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts, Lagos, in the presence of party leaders, stakeholders and supporters.
Hamzat described the forthcoming governorship election as consequential for Lagos, saying his ambition was not merely to seek votes but to earn residents’ trust and share his vision for the state’s future
He said he was introduced to the traditions of politics and public service through his father, stating that the time for work was now, as leaders were ultimately remembered for their achievements.
According to him, government serves the people best when it understands and responds to their needs.
He pledged to build a Lagos where public institutions function effectively and everyone enjoys protection, irrespective of their place of origin.
On employment and economic development, Hamzat said his administration would focus on matching talents with opportunities, removing barriers to business growth and creating more avenues for young people to participate in governance.
He said support from the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund would be linked to the number of jobs created as part of efforts to connect business support with employment generation.
He also promised to create opportunities for young people to enter public service through volunteering, while young professionals would be appointed to head government agencies based on merit.
Hamzat said data-driven businesses would benefit from cheaper broadband services, improved security and an enabling environment to expand their operations.
In the health sector, he proposed increasing the number of healthcare centres, strengthening the health workforce and upgrading existing facilities.
He said these measures would improve access to medical services and ease the pressure on doctors, nurses and midwives.
On education, he pledged to invest in teacher training and retention, strengthen professional development and review teachers’ compensation packages.
Explaining the choice of the manifesto’s title, Hamzat said a promise was a debt that must be fulfilled. He cited references from the Quran and the Bible to emphasise the moral responsibility of keeping one’s word.
He acknowledged President Bola Tinubu’s contribution to building Lagos’s modern institutional and developmental structures, while promising to uphold the standards established by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and previous administrations.
On accountability, the APC candidate proposed establishing an Independent Performance Council to monitor government activities and assess the implementation of his campaign promises.
Earlier, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu described Hamzat as a member of the team involved in planning and developing modern Lagos, expressing confidence in his ability to sustain ongoing projects and consolidate the state’s achievements.
He said several projects were still underway and needed to be completed, arguing that Lagos could not afford to experiment with its leadership at this stage of its development.
Sanwo-Olu described Hamzat’s candidacy as the next phase of the development journey Lagos had embarked upon since 1999.
He, however, advised the APC candidate to remain attentive to residents’ needs, urging him to continue listening to the people and ensure that ongoing projects were completed.
In his opening address, Lagos APC Chairman, Cornelius Ojelabi, said the manifesto unveiling was not merely a presentation of a policy document but a reaffirmation of the party’s commitment to the people.
Ojelabi expressed confidence that Hamzat’s private-sector experience, years of public service and knowledge had prepared him for the task of governing a modern Lagos.
In a goodwill message on behalf of the Governorship Advisory Council, a former Lagos State Deputy Governor, Princess Sarah Sosan, described Hamzat as hardworking, committed and loyal to the Lagos development agenda.
