The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, has dismissed speculation that his emergence as the party's flagbearer for the 2027 election was tied to an agreement to serve only one term.
Hamzat, who is the state's deputy governor, also pledged to prioritise security, water supply, urban planning and youth development if elected, while expressing confidence that President Bola Tinubu would secure re-election in 2027.
Speaking in an interview published by Vanguard on Monday, Hamzat said there was no arrangement limiting his tenure to four years.
Asked whether he had agreed to spend only one term as governor, he responded: "Agreement? No, there's no agreement."
The APC candidate said his administration would focus on ensuring that government policies translate into tangible improvements in the lives of Lagos residents, describing the governor as the "captain" responsible for coordinating experts across sectors to achieve a common vision.
According to him, every government project, from road construction and drainage to healthcare and education, must ultimately improve the quality of life of the people.
Hamzat revealed that his campaign team had prepared a comprehensive manifesto, which was being streamlined after consultations with market leaders, transport unions, professionals and other stakeholders to identify the state's most pressing needs.
He said the document had been reduced from more than 500 pages to a shorter version containing practical and achievable priorities.
Among the major targets, Hamzat said his administration would seek to provide running water to at least 60 per cent of Lagos residents within its first two years.
He explained that restoring damaged water distribution infrastructure across parts of the state would require substantial investment, including about ₦97 billion to rehabilitate pipelines from the Adiyan 2 Water Works.
Security, he said, would also receive significant attention through increased investment in technology and expansion of the state's existing security architecture.
According to Hamzat, improved surveillance, safer neighbourhoods and expanded street lighting would enhance public safety and stimulate economic activities across the state.
He also stressed the need for greater discipline and compliance with regulations, arguing that proper urban planning was essential for Lagos' continued growth.
"We have to be disciplined as a people," he said, adding that roads, walkways and markets should only be used for their designated purposes.
On the challenge of street trading, touting and indiscriminate development, Hamzat said the solution lay in stronger enforcement of the rule of law rather than confrontation.
He maintained that government decisions should always be guided by the broader public interest.
The deputy governor said his administration would build on the achievements of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu's government, noting that governance was a continuous process.
He added that the immediate focus of the current administration was to complete ongoing projects and ensure they were properly handed over to the next government.
Reflecting on his emergence as the APC governorship candidate, Hamzat said he accepted previous political outcomes because he believed leadership was ultimately determined by God.
He recalled stepping down during the 2019 governorship race after party leaders advised that the ticket should go to a Christian following successive Muslim governors in Lagos.
According to him, his decision to accept the party's position eventually led to his emergence as deputy governor.
Hamzat appealed to party members dissatisfied with the outcome of the APC primaries to remain patient, saying consultations were ongoing to reconcile aggrieved aspirants.
He noted that factors such as gender balance, regional representation and the party's strategic interests often influenced candidate selection.
Explaining the choice of his running mate, Damilola Sonayon-James, Hamzat said the APC deliberately selected a younger female Christian from Lagos West to complement his own background as a Muslim from Lagos East.
He said the decision reflected the party's commitment to inclusion and generational renewal.
The APC candidate also dismissed fears of a possible fallout with Governor Sanwo-Olu after assuming office, saying both men had maintained a cordial relationship spanning several years.
He described disagreements within government as normal, insisting they had always resolved issues through dialogue.
Hamzat also rejected suggestions that deputy governors play insignificant roles in government, saying he had exercised substantial responsibilities supervising key ministries, including Works as well as Science and Technology.
He promised to accord his deputy similar responsibilities if elected governor.
On the recurring incidents of building collapse in Lagos, Hamzat said the state government was strengthening its regulatory framework through the Certified Accreditors Programme, under which registered private professionals would monitor construction projects alongside government agencies.
He said the initiative would help prevent new buildings from collapsing by ensuring that only qualified professionals supervised developments.
Hamzat also defended President Bola Tinubu's economic reforms and endorsed his expected re-election bid, arguing that the President was laying the foundation for long-term national development despite current economic hardships.
Comparing Tinubu with leading opposition figures, including Peter Obi, Atiku Abubakar and Rabiu Kwankwaso, Hamzat questioned their records in previous public offices and said he remained optimistic that Nigerians would renew the President's mandate in the 2027 election.
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