Why Nigerians Should Re-Elect President Tinubu — Hamzat

Lagos State Deputy Governor and All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Obafemi Hamzat, has called on Nigerians to return President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to office in the 2027 presidential election, saying the President has delivered on key promises made to voters.

Speaking in Lagos at the weekend, Hamzat said Tinubu remained the strongest candidate in the race because of his years of public service, leadership experience and record in office over the past three years. He argued that the President had shown determination in pursuing policies aimed at advancing the country’s interests and had fulfilled many of the commitments made during the 2023 election campaign.

According to him, the President’s opponents do not possess the same level of experience or achievements required to lead the country. He maintained that Tinubu’s performance in government placed him ahead of other contenders seeking the presidency.

Hamzat, who is also contesting the Lagos State governorship election on the APC platform, said he was confident the ruling party would retain control of the state in 2027. He attributed this confidence to the trust many Lagos residents have continued to place in the APC based on its record in government.

He said Lagos could achieve even greater progress if residents strengthened their political organisation and remained committed to values such as discipline, respect for established rules, high standards and collective responsibility.

The deputy governor also urged residents to embrace positive behavioural change, saying his administration, if elected governor, would continue implementing programmes and policies aimed at improving the lives of the people and sustaining Lagos’ position as a leading state in different sectors.

Speaking on the performance of the Federal Government, Hamzat said Tinubu had taken difficult decisions that reflected the promises made during the last presidential campaign. He questioned the criticism surrounding the removal of fuel subsidy, noting that the policy had also featured in the programmes of other presidential candidates during the 2023 election.

He also criticised some of Tinubu’s challengers in the 2027 race, arguing that they had not demonstrated the experience, competence or leadership capacity needed to manage the affairs of the country.

Hamzat further said politicians who had repeatedly changed political parties and struggled to manage internal crises within their own organisations should not be entrusted with governing Nigeria.

Drawing comparisons between Tinubu and other former governors now seeking national office, he argued that the President’s achievements while serving as governor of Lagos remained unmatched. According to him, Tinubu transformed many of the state’s challenges into opportunities through practical policies and long-term planning.

He cited the development of Eko Atlantic City as one example of Tinubu’s vision, noting that previous administrations had relied mainly on sand filling to combat coastal erosion, while Tinubu introduced a broader solution that later produced a modern city.

Hamzat said the project was the result of consultations with professionals, including engineers and geographers, before decisions were taken on how to address the environmental challenges facing the coastline.

The APC governorship candidate also defended the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project against criticism from Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate Peter Obi. He argued that the project would improve transportation between different parts of the country and create economic opportunities for businesses, artisans, construction workers and local communities along the route.

According to him, the highway would reduce travel time between Lagos and Calabar while supporting commercial activities and job creation across the corridor.

Hamzat maintained that the APC would continue to enjoy the support of Lagos residents because of its commitment to improving the welfare of the people through programmes and projects that directly affect their lives.

He said an APC administration under his leadership would continue implementing the state’s development master plan while ensuring that government policies remain focused on the needs of residents.

Expressing confidence in his ability to lead the state, Hamzat said his years in government had given him a clear understanding of how the state’s institutions function and how to coordinate different ministries and agencies for better service delivery.

He explained that the governor’s responsibility is to bring together professionals across various sectors, align their work with the government’s vision and ensure that public projects and policies translate into better living conditions for the people. He added that improving the welfare of Lagos residents would remain the central goal of his administration if elected governor.