Get Guardian on GoogleThe Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has described Lagos East as the next frontier of economic growth and development in the state, pledging to consolidate infrastructure investments and expand opportunities across the senatorial district.
The party’s State Chairman, Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi, stated this on Thursday at Epe during the official flag-off of the APC governorship campaign ahead of the 2027 general election.
Ojelabi, who delivered the keynote address titled ‘Lagos East: The New Frontier of Opportunity, Prosperity and Sustainable Development’, said the choice of the senatorial district for the campaign flag-off was both symbolic and strategic, considering its economic potential and contributions to Lagos State.
He said Lagos East, comprising Kosofe, Ikorodu, Somolu, Eti-Osa, Ibeju-Lekki and Epe, was central to the state’s next phase of economic transformation.
“Let me make a bold declaration: Lagos East is not the periphery of Lagos. It is the next frontier of Lagos development,” he said.
Highlighting infrastructure and economic investments across the district, the APC chairman cited the Agric-Isawo, Oba Sekumade and Ijede roads in Ikorodu, as well as the Imota Rice Mill, describing them as significant interventions in connectivity, food security, industrialisation and employment generation.
He also identified the rehabilitation of Demurin Road, Agidi Road and other connecting roads in Kosofe as part of efforts to improve mobility and neighbourhood connectivity.
In Eti-Osa and Ibeju-Lekki, he pointed to the Lekki Deep Sea Port, Lekki Free Trade Zone and expanding industrial corridor as investments reshaping the economic landscape of Lagos and attracting international attention.
Ojelabi also highlighted investments in agriculture, healthcare and road infrastructure in Epe, alongside the proposed Lagos Logistics and Food Hub at Ketu-Ereyun, while noting ongoing infrastructure renewal in Somolu.
He said the projects reflected the progressive administrations’ development philosophy of ensuring that every part of Lagos participated in and benefited from the state’s economic prosperity.
The APC chairman acknowledged the contributions of former governors Bola Tinubu, Babatunde Fashola, Akinwunmi Ambode and incumbent Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to the development of the state.
On the national development agenda, Ojelabi commended President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, particularly its focus on security, economic reforms, infrastructure, agriculture, energy expansion and human capital development.
He also referenced the Renewed Hope Agenda 2.0, covering the proposed 2027–2031 period, which he said was structured around four strategic pillars: national security, improved quality of life, energy and infrastructure-driven economic growth, and effective and accountable governance.
However, he acknowledged the economic difficulties associated with reforms introduced since 2023, stressing the need for their gains to translate into improved living conditions, employment, affordable services and greater economic opportunities.
According to him, the expansion of ports, railways, roads, energy infrastructure, industrial capacity and agricultural value chains at the national level would complement emerging opportunities along the Lekki-Epe corridor, Ikorodu and other communities in Lagos East.
Turning to the party’s governorship candidate, Dr Kadiri Obafemi Hamzat, Ojelabi said the APC had made a deliberate choice based on competence, experience and institutional knowledge.
He described Hamzat, a former Commissioner for Science and Technology and Deputy Governor of Lagos State, as a candidate with the experience and understanding of government required to sustain the state’s development trajectory.
He said the candidate’s development blueprint, The Lagos Promise – Ilérí Èkó, was anchored on seven pillars: People First, Renewal, Opportunity, Machinery of Government, Inclusion, Security and Resilience, and Everyday Dignity.
“Our party is not experimenting with the future of Lagos. We have made a deliberate choice of competence, continuity and innovation,” Ojelabi said.
He expressed confidence that Hamzat would consolidate existing achievements, introduce fresh ideas and take the state to greater heights.
The APC chairman also outlined the party’s expectations for communities across Lagos East, including improved employment opportunities for young graduates in Ikorodu, better access to markets for farmers in Epe and greater participation of local entrepreneurs in the industrial opportunities emerging in Ibeju-Lekki.
He said residents of Kosofe and Somolu deserved modern infrastructure and efficient public services, while families in Eti-Osa should have access to affordable housing, quality education, healthcare and reliable transportation.
Ojelabi urged party members to maintain unity, discipline and commitment as the campaign commenced, calling on them to take the party’s message to every ward, polling unit, community and household.
He cautioned against internal divisions and distractions, stressing that collective responsibility to the party and Lagos residents should take precedence over individual interests.
“We must avoid unnecessary divisions and internal distractions. Our collective responsibility to the party and the people is greater than individual interests,” he said.
He urged party faithful to defend the APC’s record, communicate its achievements and articulate its development agenda ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
Ojelabi said the emerging industrial corridor around Lekki, agricultural potential of Epe, commercial strength of Ikorodu and strategic importance of Ibeju-Lekki positioned Lagos East to play a major role in the state’s future prosperity.
He added that the party was committed to strengthening the existing development model through continuity, improved governance and sustained investment.
He declared the APC ready to mobilise support for Hamzat, describing the campaign as an opportunity to consolidate the party’s development agenda across Lagos State.
