2027: Obanikoro vows 3m votes for Tinubu, Hamzat in Lagos, unveils manifesto launch

The Director General of the PBAT-KOH Campaign Council, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, has vowed that the campaign will deliver a minimum of three million votes for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Lagos State governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, in the 2027 elections.

Obanikoro made the declaration on Sunday at a press conference held at the PBAT-KOH Campaign Office, Sobo Arobiodu Street, GRA, Ikeja, Lagos, where he also announced October 30, 2026 as the date for the unveiling of Hamzat’s manifesto.

The campaign DG said the three-million-vote target was informed by the need to consolidate the APC’s electoral strength in Lagos, describing the outcome of the 2023 elections as a wake-up call for the party.

He said the campaign was determined to work harder at the grassroots and mobilise voters across the state to secure victory for both Tinubu and Hamzat.

Obanikoro announced that the APC would unveil Hamzat’s manifesto at the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts, formerly known as the National Arts Theatre, Iganmu, Lagos, between 3pm and 5pm on Friday, October 30.

According to him, the event will provide an opportunity for Hamzat, popularly known as KOH, to present his vision, priorities and plans for the continued development of Lagos.

He said the campaign was anchored on the principles of “continued shared progress” and inclusivity, stressing that the objective was to build on the achievements of successive administrations while addressing emerging challenges confronting the state.

“Continued shared progress means working together to build a stronger Lagos on the foundation and master plan, creating more opportunities, and improving the lives of our people without break in continuity,” Obanikoro said.

He added that inclusivity meant ensuring that no resident was left behind on the basis of religion, tribe, gender, social status or place of origin.

“Lagos belongs to all of us, for those who call it home, while respecting and preserving the indigenous people of Lagos State,” he said.

Obanikoro described Lagos as a critical component of Nigeria’s democratic and economic development, noting that the state had emerged as Africa’s global city of commerce, investment, technology, innovation and culture.

He, however, acknowledged the pressures created by the state’s growing population, limited landmass and cosmopolitan character, identifying transportation, housing, infrastructure, security, healthcare, human capital development and environmental management among the major challenges requiring urgent attention.

The former minister said such challenges required experienced leadership, strategic planning and an administration capable of delivering practical solutions.

He said successive administrations since Tinubu’s tenure as governor had contributed to Lagos’ development, citing the administrations of former governors Babatunde Fashola and Akinwunmi Ambode, as well as the incumbent Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

According to him, the administrations had built on the foundations laid by their predecessors in infrastructure, transportation, education, healthcare, the creative economy, urban development and economic growth.

“Continuity is not about doing things the same way simply because they have been done before. It is about protecting what works, correcting what needs improvement and building on existing progress,” Obanikoro said.

He said Hamzat’s combination of private-sector and public-sector experience positioned him to effectively lead the state.

Obanikoro noted that Hamzat earned a PhD in Systems Process Engineering from Cranfield University, England, at the age of 28 and subsequently worked with global financial institutions including Merrill Lynch, Morgan Stanley and Citibank in the United States before joining public service.

He also highlighted Hamzat’s experience as a three-time commissioner and deputy governor of Lagos State, saying the combination of his private-sector background and public-service experience would be useful in addressing the state’s challenges.

The campaign DG said the achievements of the Sanwo-Olu administration, including the Blue and Red rail lines, road and bridge projects, improvements in schools and hospitals, housing projects and support for businesses and young people, provided a strong foundation for Hamzat to build upon.

He said the campaign had also embarked on extensive consultations with religious leaders, traditional rulers, market women, traders, youths, professionals, artisans, community leaders and other stakeholders across the state.

According to him, the consultations were aimed at ensuring that the concerns and aspirations of Lagos residents shaped the candidate’s development agenda.

“Leadership must listen before it acts. We want the concerns of ordinary Lagosians to inform our priorities. We want a development agenda that reflects the realities of our people,” he said.

On environmental sanitation, Obanikoro acknowledged concerns over waste disposal in the state, saying the volume of waste generated had increased beyond earlier projections.

He, however, said the government had responded by acquiring and deploying additional compactors to strengthen waste evacuation and management.

The campaign DG urged the media, APC members, stakeholders and members of the public to attend or follow the manifesto presentation.

He said the event was strictly by invitation because of limited seating capacity, but the proceedings would be broadcast live on television and digital platforms, including Channels TV, ARISE TV, TVC, LTV, News Central, YouTube, Facebook and Instagram.

He added that the manifesto would subsequently be made available for download to enable members of the public to study its proposals and submit constructive feedback through appropriate party channels.

Earlier, the Director of Information, Communication and Branding of the campaign council, Mogaji Seye Oladejo, described the media briefing as an important step towards formally commencing the campaign for the re-election of President Tinubu and the election of Hamzat as governor of Lagos State.

Oladejo said the briefing was also designed to unveil the party’s electioneering plans and provide the media with relevant information ahead of the 2027 elections.

He thanked journalists and media organisations for their continued support and cooperation with the campaign.

Obanikoro, in his closing remarks, said the election was ultimately about determining the future direction of Lagos, urging residents to support the campaign’s vision of continuity, inclusivity and further development.

“Our commitment is to move forward, build on our achievements, and work together for a better state,” he said.

“The message of this campaign is clear: Lagos, let us move forward together.”