Lagos State Deputy Governor and All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate for the 2027 election, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, has pledged to make the welfare, protection and development of children central to his administration if elected governor.
Hamzat made the pledge on Friday at the official unveiling of his governorship manifesto, titled The Lagos Promise (Ìlérí Èkó), alongside the launch of his campaign theme, Lagos Forward, Together.
He said children would remain a priority in his development agenda, stressing that the future of Lagos depended largely on how well the younger generation was protected, nurtured and equipped for life.
“Therefore, our children must be protected. That is why children sit at the heart of my plan,” he said.
The APC candidate explained that the manifesto was designed as a social contract between his prospective administration and the people of Lagos, outlining seven strategic pillars and 100 specific pledges through which residents could assess his commitments.
According to him, PROMISE represents People First, Renewal, Opportunity, Machinery of Government, Inclusion, Security and Resilience, and Everyday Life.
He said the document was deliberately detailed to promote transparency and accountability, allowing residents to monitor the implementation of the proposed policies and hold his administration responsible for its promises.
“A serious promise must answer three questions: Who is it for? Will it be fulfilled? And how can I trust it?” he said.
Hamzat identified respect, work and truth as the guiding principles of his proposed administration, promising to promote honesty, transparency and accountability in government operations.
He also referenced the Bible and the Quran to underscore the importance of keeping promises, citing Psalm 15:4 and Surah Al-Ma’idah, Chapter 5, Verse 1.
On social development, he pledged to improve healthcare facilities and other essential services while pursuing inclusive development that would accommodate all Lagos residents irrespective of ethnicity, gender or place of origin.
He acknowledged President Bola Tinubu’s support for his governorship ambition, noting that the President contributed a foreword to the manifesto.
Speaking at the event, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu urged Lagos residents to support Hamzat, describing the 2027 governorship election as an opportunity to consolidate ongoing development projects and programmes rather than experiment with governance.
Sanwo-Olu, who said he had spent 27 years in public service, argued that continuity should involve completing ongoing projects, addressing existing shortcomings and initiating new programmes.
“Continuity does not mean repeating ourselves. It means finishing what has been started, fixing what is not working, and starting what comes next—in that order and with a clear plan,” he said.
The governor described Hamzat as someone familiar with the state’s development journey and urged residents to support his emergence as his successor.
He also expressed satisfaction with the cordial working relationship between him and his deputy, describing the proposed transition as an opportunity for Lagos to demonstrate political stability and institutional continuity.
Earlier, APC Lagos State Chairman, Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi, described the manifesto as a covenant between the party, its candidate and the electorate.
Ojelabi expressed confidence in Hamzat’s ability to lead the state into its next phase of development, citing his private-sector experience, public-service record and experience as deputy governor.
He said the APC administration had established a foundation in infrastructure, transportation, education, healthcare, housing, technology and economic development, adding that the incoming administration would be expected to consolidate those achievements.
Also speaking, a former deputy governor of Lagos State and representative of the Governors’ Advisory Council (GAC), Sarah Sosan, described Hamzat as hardworking, loyal and committed to the development of the state.
She said his experience as a commissioner and deputy governor had exposed him to the complexities of governing a rapidly expanding megacity.
Sosan urged the party to preserve the state’s development foundation while addressing areas requiring improvement.
In his address, Director-General of the Hamzat Campaign Council, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, said the campaign would focus on issues, competence and the capacity to deliver rather than personalities or political distractions.
Obanikoro formally announced Lagos Forward, Together as the campaign slogan and blue as its official colour.
He urged residents to visit www.koh2027.ng for information about the candidate, manifesto and campaign activities.
He said the campaign would prioritise infrastructure, transportation, education, healthcare, security, economic growth and job creation, with the broader objective of consolidating existing achievements, addressing development gaps and building a more prosperous Lagos.
