Encomium
Lagos State Deputy Governor and All Progressives Congress (APC) Governorship Candidate, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, has urged party members to take the records of the President Tinubu and Sanwo-Olu administrations to the electorate, anchoring their campaign on measurable achievements and policy reforms rather than emotions.
Hamzat, who spoke on Friday at the Inauguration of the APC Lagos State Campaign Council, held at the Party Secretariat, Acme, Ogba, charged members to confidently showcase the administration’s record to voters, noting that the party had tangible achievements to communicate rather than relying solely on political rhetoric.
According to him, “It is not about emotion. It is about data. It’s about records. We must be able to tell our people what we have done, what we are doing and what we intend to do. When you look at the reforms, the tax, the infrastructure, agriculture, security and other areas, there are records that we can take to the people. Our campaign must be about these records and achievements, and we must confidently explain them to the electorate.”
He added that all the reforms are areas where the Tinubu administration had taken steps to strengthen the economy and create opportunities for all Nigerians.
Highlighting the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and other infrastructure projects, the APC Governorship Candidate argued that the scale of ongoing development in different areas demonstrated the administration’s commitment to long-term economic growth and progress of the most important African race.
Furthermore, Hamzat described Lagos as critical to Nigeria’s economic development, contributing immensely to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). He stated that its strategic importance required continuity in governance, urging party members to campaign on the achievements of the APC-led administration in Lagos, particularly in infrastructure and transportation, while mobilising voters across the State for the party’s candidates.
He also called on members to take the campaign to their communities, urging them to mobilise friends, neighbours, religious communities and other stakeholders to participate in the election. He said the party’s objective should be to translate its support base into actual votes through sustained grassroots engagement and mobilisation.
In his remark, Director General, Lagos APC, PBAT/KOH 2027 Campaign Council, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro urged members of the 2027 Campaign Council to put personal grievances, disappointments and differences behind them and work as one united team, stressing that the task ahead requires discipline, organisation, sacrifice and absolute commitment from every member.
He described the 2027 elections as a defining period for the party, stating that members must approach the assignment not as a ceremonial role but as a serious responsibility requiring their very best. He noted that the council must ensure that every committee is functional, every member responsible, every community engaged, and every concern taken seriously, while maintaining respect and unity in the discharge of their duties.
Obanikoro said, “We must work as one, speak with respect, engage in a coordinated manner and proceed as one. The coming elections will shape our future political opportunities and responsibilities. That should remind us of the seriousness of the assignment and the need for everyone to give their very best. Every committee must be functional, every member responsible, every community engaged and every concern taken seriously. Above all, unity must be our strength.”
Earlier in his Welcome Address, Chairman, All Progressives Congress (APC), Lagos State Chapter, Hon. Cornelius Ojelabi charged members of the APC 2027 Campaign Council to operate with discipline, clear responsibilities and accountability.
Ojelabi added that the party is adopting a decentralised grassroots strategy that will deploy party leaders and members to their respective senatorial districts, local government areas, wards and polling units ahead of the general elections.
The Chairman said the responsibility placed on members is substantial, stressing the need for clear lines of command, reporting and accountability at every stage of the campaign. He stated that the strategy would be driven by the principle that “every politics is local”, with the party activating local leaders, community campaigners, Community Development Association (CDA) members, local champions and other grassroots stakeholders to strengthen its presence across the State.
According to him, “Our emphasis this time will be more on ‘Operation Man Your Polling Booth.’ We are aware we have a total of 13,565 polling booths. So our people need to get involved locally and mobilize to get the voters to deliver. We should make people go and vote and bring out the results. Our target is to get five million votes out of the projected seven million votes in Lagos State, and we would rely on coordinated grassroots mobilisation to achieve the objective.”
