Lagos State Deputy Governor and All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate for the 2027 election, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, has outlined his vision for the state, emphasising continuity in governance, infrastructure development, security, housing, environmental sustainability, and improved citizen participation.

Hamzat, while speaking on his plans for the state at the weekend, described the role of a governor as that of a team captain whose responsibility is to align expertise, policies and resources towards a common goal: improving the quality of life of residents.

According to him, governance should not be measured merely by the number of projects executed, but by their direct impact on citizens’ lives.

“The ultimate test of every government policy is how it improves the quality of life of the people,” he said.

The deputy governor stressed that government is a continuum and that successive administrations must build on the achievements of their predecessors rather than abandon ongoing projects.

He noted that Lagos State is guided by a 25-year development master plan extending to 2035, which provides a framework for long-term growth and infrastructure development.

He cited major projects, such as the Blue and Red Rail Lines, as examples of initiatives that require continuity beyond a single administration, saying that while significant progress has been recorded, his administration will complete and expand the projects to maximise their benefits.

Hamzat, who also spoke on his administration’s policy direction, said that the APC’s manifesto spans over 500 pages and covers critical sectors, including education, healthcare, transportation, housing, water supply, security and economic development.

He said consultations were ongoing with market women, transport operators, professionals, academics and other stakeholders to determine the most urgent priorities and ensure that government resources are directed toward projects that would deliver the greatest impact.

One of the immediate priorities, he revealed, is expanding access to potable water with the aim of significantly increasing water supply coverage by investing in reticulation networks and repairing damaged infrastructure across the state.

Hamzat identified decentralisation and better organisation as critical ingredients for sustainable development, adding that many of the challenges confronting state and other African cities stem from poor planning and weak institutional coordination.

The deputy governor, however, reiterated support for state policing, saying that local knowledge and community-based intelligence would improve crime prevention and law enforcement.

He maintained that strengthening security architecture remains essential to protecting lives, attracting investment and sustaining economic growth.

Hamzat also highlighted the growing threat posed by climate change, describing it as one of the most serious challenges facing Lagos because of its coastal geography and rising population.

He said his administration would continue investing in drainage infrastructure, flood control measures and improved waste management systems.

The strategy, he said, would involve developing waste conversion initiatives and transfer loading stations aimed at reducing environmental pollution while creating economic opportunities from waste recycling and energy generation.

He also renewed calls for a special economic status for Lagos State, adding that the state’s unique role as Nigeria’s commercial hub places extraordinary pressure on its infrastructure and public services.

The APC governorship candidate stressed that security would remain a cornerstone of his administration, pledging to strengthen existing security architecture through technology, surveillance systems and improved emergency response mechanisms.