The All Progressives Congress (APC) will unveil the manifesto of its Lagos State governorship candidate, Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, on Friday with a pledge to sustain policy continuity while making governance more inclusive and addressing the state’s growing infrastructure and public service needs.
Musiliu Obanikoro, director-general of the PBAT-KOH Campaign Council, announced this on Sunday at a press conference in Lagos, saying the manifesto would outline Hamzat’s priorities and plans for the state ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
Obanikoro said the campaign was anchored on ‘continued shared progress and inclusivity’, arguing that Lagos needed experienced leadership capable of building on existing achievements while responding to the demands of its growing population.
The manifesto launch is scheduled to hold at the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts, formerly known as the National Arts Theatre, Iganmu, Lagos.
‘It will provide a platform for Dr. Hamzat to present his vision, priorities, and plans for the continued development of our dear state,’ Obanikoro said.
He recalled that President Bola Tinubu unveiled a development manifesto when he became Lagos governor in 1999, describing it as a foundation for successive administrations in the state.
For the APC campaign, continuity would involve preserving effective policies, correcting shortcomings and extending development programmes rather than retaining existing approaches without improvement.
‘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 argued that Lagos could not afford to abandon the foundations established by previous administrations, given the pressures associated with its population and economic importance.
‘With an estimated population of over 25 million, relatively limited landmarks, and the pressures that come with a cosmopolitan society, Lagos faces severe demands in transportation, human capital development, housing, infrastructure, security, healthcare, and environmental management,’ he said.
‘These challenges require experienced leadership, careful planning, and the ability to deliver results.’
Obanikoro said Hamzat’s experience in government and the private sector positioned him to address the state’s development needs. He cited the candidate’s degree in Systems Processes Engineering from Cranfield University, England, and his experience with international financial institutions, including Merrill Lynch, Morgan Stanley and Citibank.
Hamzat, who is serving as deputy governor under Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, would draw on his experience in the administration to consolidate existing projects and tackle outstanding challenges, Obanikoro said.
He cited developments in rail transportation, road construction, education, healthcare, housing and the creative economy as areas where successive administrations had made progress.
The campaign director-general also said Hamzat and his team had consulted religious leaders, traditional rulers, traders, market women, professionals, artisans, community leaders and other stakeholders across Lagos.
According to him, the consultations are intended to ensure that the manifesto reflects the needs of different communities and groups in the state.
Obanikoro said the manifesto would be made available for download after its presentation, allowing members of the public to examine its proposals and submit feedback through party channels.
He added that the campaign’s approach was based on the belief that development should reflect Lagos’s diversity while preserving the interests and heritage of its indigenous population.
‘Nobody should be left behind because of religion, tribe, gender, social status, or place of origin. Lagos belongs to all of us, for those who call it home, while respecting and preserving the indigenous people of Lagos State,’ he said.