In a political environment increasingly characterised by voter scepticism and growing demands for tangible results, the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Lagos State, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, has unveiled a 100-point development manifesto, positioning accountability, continuity and inclusive growth at the centre of his 2027 governorship ambition.
At an elaborate ceremony held on Friday, October 30, 2026, at the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts, National Theatre, Iganmu, Lagos, the party formally presented Hamzat and his running mate, Princess Damilola Sonayon-James, as its governorship ticket for the forthcoming election.
The campaign, branded The Lagos Promise (Ileri Eko), represents an attempt to sustain the state’s progressive development agenda while offering a renewed vision for its future.
The unveiling was also a carefully calibrated political statement about succession and continuity. Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu formally presented Hamzat with a symbolic baton of leadership, describing his deputy as a worthy successor and citing his experience, competence, loyalty and contributions to Lagos’ development.
While speaking at the event, Sanwo-Olu expressed confidence that Hamzat could consolidate achievements in infrastructure, transportation, education, healthcare and economic development.
“This symbol of continuity will be handed over to someone on May 29, 2027, when my tenure finally ends as the governor of our great state, Lagos,” he said.
He added that he had personally identified Hamzat as the right person to take over the mantle of leadership, describing him as possessing the energy, skills, mentality, temperament and experience required to sustain the state’s achievements.
At the heart of Hamzat’s manifesto are seven strategic pillars: People First, Renewal, Opportunity, the Machinery of Government, Inclusion, Security and Resilience, and Everyday Dignity.
Explaining the framework, the governorship candidate said the document contains 87 firm commitments and 13 aspirations, describing it as a social contract with Lagosians. He also pledged to publish performance scorecards, provide annual progress reports and subject his administration to public scrutiny if elected.
Beyond the policy proposals, one of the most striking aspects of the manifesto unveiling was Hamzat’s emphasis on the moral weight of political promises.
“I chose those words with care. A promise is a debt. In Yoruba, we say: Gbese ni Ileri. A promise has weight,” he said.
This statement provides the philosophical foundation for the campaign, seeking to distinguish The Lagos Promise from conventional political manifestos by presenting its commitments as obligations owed to the electorate rather than temporary campaign rhetoric.
In healthcare, Hamzat promised to increase the number of Maternal and Child Centres from 10 to 15, expand the Ilera Eko health insurance scheme to cover one in three Lagos residents and construct new general hospitals in Ogombo and Ibeju-Lekki. He also pledged to upgrade 100 primary healthcare centres and complete major ongoing projects, including Massey Children’s Hospital, Ojo General Hospital and Somolu General Hospital. His education proposals include strengthening the EKOEXCEL programme, improving teachers’ training and remuneration, and establishing a University of Medicine and Health Sciences.
Transportation and infrastructure feature prominently in the development blueprint. Hamzat promised to increase the public bus fleet from 1,000 to 4,000 vehicles, extend the Blue Line rail to Okokomaiko and advance the Green Line from Marina to the Lekki Free Trade Zone. He also pledged to connect the Red and Blue rail lines through an interchange at the National Theatre Station, accelerate the Fourth Mainland Bridge and Regional Road projects, and advance Phase Two of the Opebi-Mende Link Bridge.
Under the Omi Eko initiative, he proposed developing an additional 140 kilometres of water corridors, optimising 15 ferry routes, refurbishing 25 terminals and jetties, and procuring 75 electric vessels.
On employment and economic development, the APC candidate promised to create a more enabling environment for businesses, artisans, traders, manufacturers, farmers and technology entrepreneurs. He outlined plans to strengthen Yaba’s technology ecosystem, expand digital access hubs and create opportunities for young people through internships, volunteering and leadership programmes.
He also promised to open up more leadership opportunities in government agencies to young professionals based on merit, signalling an intention to make youth participation a practical component of governance.
The manifesto also addresses housing affordability, public safety and environmental sustainability. He pledged to complete ongoing housing projects, deepen the Lagos HOMS programme and introduce more accessible mortgage arrangements through lower deposits, single-digit interest rates and longer repayment periods.
On security, he pledged to expand the Lagos State Neighbourhood Safety Agency across all wards in the state’s 20 local government areas and 37 local council development areas, improve CCTV coverage and street lighting, and establish a State Intelligence Fusion Centre. Environmental commitments include completing Adiyan Phase Two, rehabilitating 24 micro and mini waterworks, expanding waste collection coverage to 95 per cent and investing in waste recovery and waste-to-energy projects.
The most significant aspect of Hamzat’s proposals is the accountability framework. He promised to establish a Lagos State Service Delivery Office within his first 100 days in office, introduce measurable performance targets and implement service charters across government offices.
Under his proposed system, complaints would be acknowledged within 48 hours, answered within seven days and resolved within 30 days. He also promised regular town hall meetings across the five IBILE divisions and annual public reports detailing achievements, missed targets and revised timelines.
Delivering a goodwill message on behalf of the influential Governance Advisory Council (GAC), former Deputy Governor, Princess Sarah Sosan, described Hamzat as hardworking, committed and loyal to the Lagos development agenda.
Her endorsement, alongside Sanwo-Olu’s support, projected institutional confidence in the candidate and reinforced the party’s determination to sustain its established governance philosophy.
