Sanwo-Olu, Danmole, Obanikoro predict victory for President, Hamzat, others

Many Christians, Muslims and traditional practitioners gathered in Lagos yesterday to seek divine intervention ahead of the 2027 general elections, with prayers for the re-election of President Bola Tinubu, victory for Lagos Deputy Governor and All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Obafemi Hamzat, and other APC candidates.

The interfaith prayer session was organised by the Interfaith Prayer Planning Committee, chaired by Oyilomo Danmole, in collaboration with the Director-General of the PBAT/KOH Campaign Organisation, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro.

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, said the gathering was intended to seek divine guidance ahead of the polls.

He said the APC was “not taking any stakeholder for granted,” adding that the prayers were aimed at committing the party’s campaign to God.

Sanwo-Olu expressed confidence that Tinubu would retain the Presidency, saying: “Lagos is a faithful state; Nigeria is a faithful country. That is why we believe that our prayers that have been heard today will return the President… when
we go to the election on January 16, 2027. He will win.”

He also predicted victory for Hamzat, Damilola James Senayo and other APC candidates contesting for federal and state legislative seats.

Danmole urged Nigerians to support Tinubu’s re-election, citing the student loan scheme, road construction and infrastructure projects as achievements that deserved continuity.

He said that a second term would enable Tinubu to consolidate his policies, warning that denying him another term would amount to a setback for the country.

Obanikoro said the campaign organisation had commenced preparations for the election with prayers and a call for unity among APC members.

He, however, stressed that prayers must be matched by discipline, responsibility and determination, urging APC members and supporters not to work at cross purposes.

A Muslim cleric, who led the prayers, urged Nigerians and party supporters to commit the 2027 elections to God, recognising His sovereignty over human affairs.

The cleric prayed for peace and protection before, during and after the elections, while seeking divine favour for Tinubu, Hamzat and other APC candidates.

He said the prayers were necessary because God is omnipresent and has ultimate control over human affairs.

Special Adviser to Sanwo-Olu on Christian Affairs, Olatunji Talabi, prayed for the success of the APC candidates.

Talabi said Christians had governed Lagos for the past 12 years and that it was now the turn of Muslims, adding that Hamzat would, by God’s grace, succeed Sanwo-Olu next year as Lagos State governor.

Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC), Revd (Prof.) Stephen Adegbite, was among the Christian clerics who participated in the prayers, while traditional practitioners, led by Ogboni Found Oki, were represented at the gathering.