Lagos State Deputy Governor and All Progressives Congress governorship candidate for the 2027 election, Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, has described himself as the best candidate to lead the state, citing his experience and knowledge of Lagos politics and administration.
Hamzat made the declaration on Sunday at the 70th Harvest Anniversary and Thanksgiving Service of the Cherubim and Seraphim Society, Olorunsogo Parish, Ese-Ofin, Lagos.
The deputy governor said his understanding of the history, political development and administrative structure of Lagos had prepared him for the governorship position.
According to him, effective governance requires an understanding of a state’s history and the people who have previously administered it.
“I know the people that have ruled this state before and if I have any problems on land issues, I know where to go,” Hamzat said, adding that while nobody was perfect, he understood Lagos thoroughly.
Hamzat also cautioned Lagos residents about campaign promises as political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
He said politicians would approach voters with different promises during the campaign period and urged residents to consider the practical realities facing the state.
The deputy governor argued that Lagos occupies an important position in Nigeria’s economy and should therefore be governed by people with knowledge of its administration and challenges.
“Lagos is more important than being used for jokes,” he said, while highlighting the state’s contribution to Nigeria’s economic activity.
Hamzat further pointed to his long experience in Lagos government as part of his qualification for the governorship.
He recalled that he was working in New York in 2005 when then-Lagos Governor Bola Tinubu visited the city and saw him delivering a presentation. According to Hamzat, Tinubu subsequently invited him to return to Nigeria and join the Lagos State Government.
Since then, Hamzat has served in several positions within the state government. He was Commissioner for Science and Technology, later Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, and currently serves as deputy governor.
He said the experience had given him an understanding of the state’s political history and the practical challenges involved in administering Lagos.
Hamzat is already the APC’s candidate for the 2027 Lagos governorship election. The party declared him its candidate after its governorship primary in May 2026, while Princess Damilola Sonayon-James was subsequently selected as his running mate.
His emergence has been followed by various support and mobilisation activities. A student-led political group in Lagos, the KOH 4 Lagos Students Movement, announced on September 28 that it had adopted Hamzat and other candidates ahead of the 2027 elections. The group said it planned to mobilise students across tertiary institutions and encourage voter participation.
Hamzat has also previously outlined policy priorities for his proposed administration, including the reorganisation of Lagos, measures to address insecurity and flooding, and efforts to tackle challenges associated with informal settlements and infrastructure.
The 2027 contest is expected to feature candidates from several political parties, making the campaign period increasingly active across the state.
At the harvest anniversary, Hamzat also called on Nigerians to continue praying for the country, saying he believed there was a purpose behind Nigeria’s existence and that citizens should contribute to its progress.
The event was attended by Lagos APC Chairman Cornelius Ojelabi, traditional rulers, commissioners, local government chairmen, members of the Lagos State House of Assembly and other political and religious leaders.
Ojelabi said the anniversary was organised partly to give back to the community. Activities included a Night of Praise and a medical outreach designed to provide healthcare services to residents of the rural community.
As the 2027 campaign season approaches, Hamzat’s latest comments place his experience in Lagos government and familiarity with the state’s political and administrative history at the centre of his campaign message.
