Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, has emerged as the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the 2027 election after a landslide victory in the party’s primary election.
Announcing the result at the APC secretariat in Ogba, Ikeja, on Thursday, retired General Jon Temlong, chairman of the APC National Governorship Primary Election Committee, said the exercise was conducted peacefully and transparently.
According to the committee, Hamzat secured 657,917 votes out of the 657,974 votes cast, while his only opponent, Lanre Jim-Kamal, received one vote. Another aspirant, Samuel Ajose, had withdrawn from the race before the primary.
Declaring the winner, Temlong said Hamzat met all constitutional and electoral requirements of the party and was therefore returned as the APC candidate for the 2027 governorship election.
The announcement was witnessed by Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, former deputy governor Femi Pedro, and members of the Governors Advisory Council, including Ganiyu Solomon.
In his acceptance speech, Hamzat thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Governor Sanwo-Olu, members of the Governors Advisory Council and other APC leaders in the state for their support.
“With humility, I accept the candidacy of the APC in the forthcoming 2027 election,” he said, while commending Sanwo-Olu for his contributions to the development of Lagos and the growth of the party.
Hamzat Unveils ‘My Lagos Dream’
The APC candidate also presented his development blueprint, tagged “My Lagos Dream,” which he said would focus on job creation, infrastructure development, education, healthcare and security.
Hamzat said Lagos must consolidate its position as Africa’s leading commercial centre through strategic investments and policies that directly improve the lives of residents.
He outlined four major priorities for his administration if elected governor in 2027.
The first, he said, would be improved service delivery through sustained investment in infrastructure and efficient public services. The second would focus on job creation, with policies aimed at accelerating employment opportunities for young people, supporting entrepreneurs and driving industrialisation.
The third pillar centres on knowledge and skills development, while the fourth focuses on health and well-being through improved access to healthcare, water supply and security.
Hamzat stressed that governance must positively affect ordinary citizens, promising inclusive leadership that caters to people across all parts of the state.
He said fishermen in Badagry and Epe, traders in Oyingbo, Mile 12 and Balogun markets, commercial drivers, mechanics, hawkers and young people striving to make a living would remain central to his administration’s agenda.
He also pledged to create a safer and more business-friendly environment that would allow investors and business owners to thrive.
Pledges Continuity of APC Policies
Hamzat promised to build on the developmental programmes initiated by President Tinubu and successive APC administrations in Lagos State.
He said his experience in both the public and private sectors had equipped him for the responsibilities of leading the state, pointing to major projects he helped oversee during his years in government.
Among the projects he highlighted were the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system, the Lagos Blue and Red Rail Lines, the Adiyan Waterworks project, as well as several road and bridge developments.
According to him, such infrastructure projects are vital to the growth of the state’s economy and require careful planning, competence and experienced leadership.
Describing the 2027 election as critical to the future of both Lagos and Nigeria, Hamzat expressed confidence that with public support and divine guidance, Lagos would continue on the path of progress and development.
Rafiyat Sadiq is a political, justice, and human rights reporter with Pinnacle Daily, known for fearless reporting and impactful storytelling. At Pinnacle Daily, she brings clarity and depth to issues shaping governance, democracy, and the protection of citizens’ rights.