Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has said the re-election of President Bola Tinubu and the election of his deputy, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, as the next governor of Lagos State are crucial to sustaining development in the state and the country.
Sanwo-Olu spoke on Thursday during a meeting with traditional rulers and political leaders in the Ikorodu Division of Lagos State, where the monarchs pledged their support for Tinubu, Hamzat and other candidates of the All Progressives Congress ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The meeting was held at the palace of the Paramount Ruler of Ikorodu Division and Ayangburen of Ikorodu, Oba Kabiru Shotobi.
Those present included Hamzat; the APC deputy governorship candidate, Princess Damilola Sonayon-James; Lagos APC Chairman, Pastor Cornelious Ojelabi; members of the Governance Advisory Council; traditional rulers, political leaders and public office holders from the division.
Sanwo-Olu thanked the monarchs and political leaders for their support for the APC and urged residents of Ikorodu to vote for Tinubu and Hamzat in 2027.
The governor said Tinubu deserved another term based on what he described as his achievements in Lagos and other parts of the country.
“Development has transformed Lagos. We can see what the President has done in Lagos State and elsewhere in Nigeria.
“He deserves to be re-elected because of his performance. So, let us campaign and work towards President Tinubu’s re-election in 2027,” Sanwo-Olu said.
He also urged residents of Ikorodu to fulfil their pledge to deliver 250,000 votes for Tinubu and other APC candidates.
“I want to urge the people of Ikorodu to deliver 250,000 votes as promised for President Tinubu in the 2027 election. Mobilise votes for President Tinubu and all APC candidates.
“I will work for the victory of Dr Obafemi Hamzat as my successor. Let us get him elected as the next governor of Lagos State,” he added.
Hamzat, in his remarks, called on traditional rulers, political leaders, APC members and residents of Ikorodu to participate actively in the 2027 elections and support all APC candidates.
He described Tinubu’s re-election as important to sustaining the Federal Government’s reform and development agenda, while also making a case for continuity in Lagos.
Hamzat said Lagos could not afford to “experiment” with its leadership, adding that Ikorodu remained an important part of the state’s development plans.
“Lagos is developing, and the 2027 general election is important. We must come out and support President Tinubu with our votes. I believe achieving 250,000 votes for APC in Ikorodu is possible.
“We cannot afford to experiment with Lagos because it is very important to Nigeria. Let us support the ruling party so that Lagos can keep progressing. Ikorodu is included in our development plans. Ikorodu is important to us,” he said.
Hamzat also assured the traditional rulers and political leaders that concerns raised during the meeting would receive appropriate attention.
Senator Tokunbo Abiru, representing Lagos East Senatorial District, described Hamzat’s competence and leadership credentials as unquestionable.
The member representing Ikorodu Federal Constituency, Babajimi Benson, also pledged 250,000 votes from the division for Tinubu, Hamzat and other APC candidates.
Benson said more than 1,000 Community Development Associations in Ikorodu would support the APC candidates.
Monarchs back Hamzat
Oba Shotobi expressed confidence that residents of Ikorodu would vote massively for Tinubu and Hamzat, citing their leadership qualities.
The monarch also assured the delegation that traditional rulers in the division would unite in support of the APC candidates.
The Ranodu of Imota, Oba Ajibade Bakare-Agoro, also endorsed Hamzat, citing his working relationship with Sanwo-Olu as one of the reasons for supporting his candidacy.
“Hamzat is the only deputy who didn’t disturb his governor. He has a good relationship with Governor Sanwo-Olu, and that relationship earned him the APC candidacy,” the monarch said.
He expressed confidence that Ikorodu would support Hamzat, describing the division as a stronghold of the progressive political camp.