Governor Babajide Sanwo‑Olu on Friday called on Lagosians to rally behind Deputy Governor Dr Obafemi Hamzat’s 2027 governorship campaign, arguing that the seasoned administrator can sustain the state’s development gains. The appeal was made during the official unveiling of Hamzat’s seven‑pillar development agenda, branded PROMISE, at the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts, formerly the National Theatre, Iganmu, Lagos.
Key points from the event include:
- The ceremony was attended by former Governor Babatunde Fashola, members of the Lagos State Executive Council, senior party officials, religious and traditional leaders, media executives, local government chairmen, and prominent business figures.
- Sanwo‑Olu described Hamzat, the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, as a reliable partner who has consistently championed Lagos’s development over the past seven years.
- Using a relay‑race analogy, the governor stressed that Lagos needs an experienced successor who understands ongoing policies and projects.
- He quoted, “In seven years, there has not been one day—not one—when I had to wonder whose side my deputy was on.”
What is the PROMISE manifesto?
The PROMISE framework comprises seven pillars: People First, Renewal, Opportunity, Machinery of Government, Inclusion, Security and Resilience, and Everyday Dignity. Hamzat said the agenda is designed to consolidate the achievements of successive APC administrations while tackling the challenges of a rapidly expanding megacity through inclusive growth, efficient service delivery and improved living standards.
Why does Sanwo‑Olu stress continuity?
Sanwo‑Olu warned against “experimenting” with Lagos’s leadership, insisting that the state requires a seamless handover to preserve the progress made. He recalled that in September 2018 Hamzat stepped aside from a governorship ambition at the behest of party leaders and accepted the deputy role, demonstrating loyalty and teamwork.
How has Hamzat contributed to Lagos’s development?
Hamzat’s public‑service record dates back to 2005 when he served as Commissioner for Science and Technology under former Governor Bola Tinubu. He later became Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure under Governor Fashola, overseeing projects such as the Lekki‑Ikoyi Link Bridge, before being sworn in as deputy governor in 2019. His portfolio includes managing the COVID‑19 response, the October 2020 unrest, and major infrastructure initiatives like the Blue and Red rail lines and the Lekki Deep Sea Port.
What are the key promises in health and education?
In health, Hamzat pledged to raise the number of Maternal and Child Centres from 10 to 15, expand the Ilera Eko health‑insurance scheme to cover one‑third of Lagos residents, build two new general hospitals in Ogombo and Ibeju‑Lekki, upgrade 100 primary health centres to flagship status, and recruit additional medical staff. He highlighted ongoing projects such as the 150‑bed Massey Children’s Hospital, the 280‑bed Ojo General Hospital and the 150‑bed Somolu General Hospital.
In education, Hamzat vowed to strengthen the EKOEXCEL programme operating in 1,028 public primary schools, expand quality education from early childhood to university level, establish a University of Medicine and Health Sciences, and continue teacher‑development initiatives that have trained over 33,000 teachers in the past seven years.
How does the manifesto align with broader agendas?
Hamzat said his plan builds on the current administration’s THEMES Plus agenda and the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda, outlining priorities across healthcare, education, economic development, infrastructure and social welfare. He urged APC members to mobilise support across all wards and encouraged residents to scrutinise the manifesto before the 2027 elections.
What legacy does Sanwo‑Olu hope to leave?
Sanwo‑Olu described a peaceful, quarrel‑free transition as the most valuable legacy an outgoing governor can offer, stating, “Lagos is going to change governors without a quarrel. In May, one governor will hand to another a state that is whole. There is no greater gift a governor can leave his people than a handover that does not break the house.”