Obafemi Hamzat, Lagos State deputy governor and All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate for the 2027 elections, has pledged to make Lagos safer, fairer, cleaner and easier to live in if elected governor.

Mr Hamzat made the pledge while unveiling his manifesto, tagged The Lagos Promise (Ileri Eko), at the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts, Lagos, on Friday.

The manifesto comprises seven pillars, 31 chapters and 100 pledges, consisting of 87 firm commitments and 13 aspirations to guide his administration if elected.

“Together, we have built one of Africa’s greatest states. Together, we will make it safer, fairer, cleaner and easier to live in.

“Together, we will write its finest chapter. Together, we will move Lagos forward,” he said.

The governorship candidate said the agenda was built around seven pillars represented by the acronym P.R.O.M.I.S.E, which stands for People First, Renewal, Opportunity, Machinery of Government, Inclusion, Security and Resilience, and Everyday Dignity.

On transport, Mr Hamzat promised to expand the state’s public bus fleet from 1,000 vehicles to 4,000 vehicles to transport one million passengers daily.

He said that, if elected, his administration would integrate road, rail and water transport modes to reduce travel time and improve mobility across the state.

“I will move Lagos by road, by rail and by water as one connected system,” he said.

The candidate promised to extend the state’s Blue Line rail project to Okokomaiko and connect the Blue and Red rail lines through an interchange at the National Theatre Station in Iganmu.

He also pledged to advance the Green Line from Marina to the Lekki Free Trade Zone in partnership with the Federal Government.

Mr Hamzat said the state would activate the Fourth Mainland Bridge through partnerships, accelerate the regional road along the Lekki-Epe axis and commence the second phase of the Opebi-Mende-Link Bridge.

He listed roads earmarked for reconstruction to include Tedi-Mowo Road, Olojo Drive-Alaba International Market-Igbede Road, Bola Ahmed Tinubu Road in Bogije and Igbe-Ginti Road in Ikorodu.

He promised to dredge an additional 140 km of waterways, optimise 15 ferry routes, refurbish 25 of the state’s 47 terminals and jetties, and procure 75 additional electric vessels.

He said he would improve water transport and integrate ferry services with road and rail networks through the Omi Eko initiative.

He said the ultimate objective would be to reduce commuting time and give residents more time for their families, businesses and personal activities.

On housing, Mr Hamzat promised to complete several ongoing housing projects and introduce more affordable homeownership opportunities.

He listed Egan-Igando Clusters Two and Three, Lagos HOMS Sangotedo Phase Two, Lagos HOMS Ibeshe Phases Two and Three, and the Workers’ Village at Ipaja among the projects.

He also promised to explore partnerships with private developers to provide affordable housing and make mortgages more accessible.

“I will make mortgages reachable – 10 per cent down, single-digit interest, longer repayment periods,” he said.

On security and public safety, Mr Hamzat promised to strengthen the Lagos State Neighbourhood Safety Agency and extend its operations to every ward across the state’s 20 local government areas and 37 local council development areas.

He said that, if elected, his administration would expand street lighting and closed-circuit television camera coverage on residential streets, in riverine communities and in peri-urban areas.

He also promised to establish a state intelligence fusion centre to improve the state’s response to cybercrime, financial crimes and organised criminal activities.

According to him, the Lagos State Neighbourhood Safety Agency would provide the foundation for the proposed state police framework as it develops.

He pledged improved recruitment, training, welfare, accommodation and health insurance coverage for security personnel and their dependants.

He added that an independent body would review complaints against security personnel and the agency.

On water supply, Mr Hamzat promised to complete the Adiyan Phase Two waterworks project, a 70-million-gallon-per-day facility expected to provide clean water to six million additional residents.

He also pledged to rehabilitate 24 micro and mini waterworks and extend the public water distribution network.

On waste management, he promised to increase waste collection coverage to 95 per cent through improved operations and greater private sector participation.

He said his administration would complete the transfer loading stations at Olusosun and Solous III in Alimosho and deliver a recovery facility alongside the waste-to-energy project at Agbowa.

Mr Hamzat also promised to integrate 30,000 residents currently involved in collecting and sorting waste into the formal waste management system.

On environmental protection, he promised to plant millions of trees and transform open spaces into public parks to improve air quality and urban resilience.

Mr Hamzat pledged an inclusive administration that would accommodate residents irrespective of their geographical origins, age, gender or physical abilities.

“Everyone who lives here belongs here, and Lagos will serve you as you are,” he said.

On governance, Mr Hamzat promised to introduce a comprehensive accountability framework to monitor the implementation of the 100 manifesto pledges.

He said 87 of the pledges were firm commitments within the powers of the Lagos State Government, while 13 were aspirations dependent on consultations, federal partnerships or judicial processes.

According to him, the 87 commitments would be measured against published scorecards, with any unfulfilled promise acknowledged.

“Eighty-seven are firm commitments. They are within the Lagos State Government’s power, and each will be measured against a published scorecard.

“If one of them is not delivered, it will be noted, and I must own it.”

He said accountability would commence within his first 100 days in office if elected.

Mr Hamzat promised to establish a child protection and nutrition agency through the first bill he would present to the Lagos State House of Assembly.

According to him, the proposed agency would ensure that every child below 18 years in the state was either in school or learning a trade and adequately nourished.

He also promised to establish a Lagos State Service Delivery Office, to be headed by the governor, to monitor and publish implementation records for every commitment.

The governorship candidate further pledged to advance the Lagos State Wealth Fund through an independent board and published accounts.

He said every government office would display a service charter identifying available services, expected standards and responsible officers.

“Every complaint will be acknowledged within 48 hours, answered within seven days and resolved within 30,” he said.

He also promised regular town hall meetings across the five IBILE divisions and an independent performance council to assess government performance.

According to him, an annual report would compare every manifesto promise with actual achievements, identify missed targets and provide reasons and new delivery dates.

Mr Hamzat urged Lagos residents to examine the manifesto and hold him accountable for its implementation if elected governor.

He called on voters to support the APC in the presidential, National Assembly, governorship and State House of Assembly elections in 2027.

He said, “Take the promise, read it, question it, find the commitment that matters most to your family, your street and your community. Write it down.”

The APC candidate said his vision was to build on the achievements of previous administrations while introducing measurable improvements in service delivery.

He acknowledged the contributions of former governors Bola Tinubu, Babatunde Fashola and Akinwunmi Ambode, as well as the incumbent Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

Mr Hamzat, who has served as Lagos State deputy governor since 2019, said he regarded the achievements of previous administrations as a standard he must uphold and surpass.

“I do not take it as an inheritance. I take it as a standard I must uphold and exceed,” he said. 

(NAN)