Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has endorsed his deputy, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, as a capable successor with the experience to advance Lagos Stateâs development agenda.
He emphasized that Hamzatâs long-standing role in governance has equipped him with deep insight into the stateâs priorities and the challenges that lie ahead.
He spoke on Friday at the presentation of the All Progressives Congress, APC, governorship candidateâs manifesto and campaign theme in Lagos.
The governor described Hamzat as a trusted partner whose loyalty, experience and contributions had strengthened their administration over the past seven years
He recalled that Hamzat had stepped aside from his governorship ambition in 2018 following appeals by party leaders supporting his emergence. Hamzat subsequently agreed to serve as deputy governor, a gesture he said he had never forgotten.
He said their partnership had endured critical moments, including the COVID-19 pandemic, the October 2020 crisis and major infrastructure developments.
Sanwo-Olu said he had never questioned Hamzatâs loyalty or commitment, describing their working relationship as unusual in Nigeriaâs political environment.
He said Hamzatâs contributions extended beyond constitutional responsibilities to policy discussions, project planning, technical assessments and engagements with investors.
The governor recalled that his deputy previously served as commissioner for Science and Technology and commissioner for Works and Infrastructure.
He said Hamzatâs engineering background and public service experience had equipped him with considerable knowledge of Lagosâ infrastructure requirements.
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Sanwo-Olu described leadership succession as a relay race, stressing that the next runner must be adequately prepared before receiving the baton.
He said: âLagos is not a place for a first-time learner. A city of more than 23 million people cannot afford to experiment with governance.This is not the time to experiment with Lagos; it is time for consolidation.â
He explained that consolidation meant completing existing projects, addressing shortcomings and introducing complementary initiatives rather than merely repeating previous achievements.
The governor identified rail network expansion, the Fourth Mainland Bridge and other transportation initiatives as projects requiring sustained implementation.
He stressed that Lagosâ long-term development plans must survive changes in administration, warning against abandoning projects initiated by previous governments.
Sanwo-Olu also urged Hamzat to remain accessible, listen to residents and ensure that every community benefited from development.
He called on party members and residents to examine the manifesto and assess its proposals against their expectations.
Earlier, former Lagos Deputy Governor, Mrs Sarah Sosan, said the stateâs development reflected years of planning, sacrifice and purposeful leadership.
Speaking on behalf of the Governance Advisory Council, GAC, Sosan traced Lagosâ development through the administrations of President Bola Tinubu, former governors Babatunde Fashola and Akinwunmi Ambode, and Sanwo-Olu.
Sosan said Hamzatâs experience as commissioner and deputy governor had familiarised him with government operations, development challenges and opportunities.
She identified good roads, improved transportation, quality education, affordable healthcare, security, employment, housing and environmental cleanliness as residentsâ major expectations.
She urged government, businesses and residents to collaborate in sustaining Lagosâ development.
The former deputy governor congratulated Hamzat on his manifesto presentation and pledged the GACâs commitment to the stateâs progress.
NAN
