The Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr.Obafemi Hamzat, has stressed the need for political leaders to place Nigeria’s interests above personal ambitions, saying the country’s progress depends on selfless leadership, accountability and a shared commitment to nation-building.

Hamzat stated this on Sunday while receiving members of the Forum of Forum of All Progressives Congress (APC) State Chairmen at his official residence in Lagos, where he also urged party leaders to strengthen internal democracy and maintain close engagement with elected officials.

According to him, political office holders must always remember that they emerged through the platform of their political parties and should therefore respect and work closely with party structures.

“You cannot be a candidate for any election unless you are a member of a political party. It is important that every elected official understands the significance and value of our party,” he said.

He urged the APC state chairmen to establish regular consultations with governors and other elected officials, noting that such engagements would provide valuable advice that could improve governance.

“You see what government will never see. You give advice that government may never receive unless you offer it. Whether they take it or not is not your business, but you must ensure you give the advice,” Hamzat said.

The deputy governor also encouraged the forum to visit other states and even neighbouring African countries to exchange ideas and learn from successful governance models that could strengthen the party and improve public administration.

Reflecting on the leadership of President Bola Tinubu, Hamzat described him as a visionary leader whose developmental initiatives in Lagos were initially criticised but have since transformed the state.

He recalled that Tinubu established the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) and initiated the blueprint for the Lagos Rail Mass Transit system, including the Blue and Red rail lines, at a time when many doubted the viability of the projects.

Hamzat said Tinubu’s administration secured a ₦10 billion bond to finance critical infrastructure, a decision that attracted criticism from opponents who claimed the state was mortgaging its future.

“They accused him then, but today those investments have become valuable assets. The vision Asiwaju has is one that many people do not have,” he said.

He also cited the Eko Atlantic City project as another example of long-term planning, explaining that the initiative has generated about 10 million cubic metres of sand while providing a lasting solution to coastal erosion that had threatened Victoria Island for decades.

According to him, previous interventions merely involved dumping sand into the Atlantic Ocean without addressing the root cause of the problem until Tinubu’s administration adopted a more sustainable engineering approach in collaboration with private investors.

Hamzat further commended the ongoing Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project, describing road infrastructure as a major driver of economic development.

Drawing comparisons with developed nations, he said America’s growth was built on extensive road infrastructure and expressed confidence that the coastal highway would deliver similar economic benefits for Nigeria.

He also lamented the decline of several agricultural assets across the country, noting that many farms and dams established decades ago had become moribund due to poor maintenance and lack of continuity in governance.

Calling for greater patriotism among the political class, Hamzat urged leaders to focus on policies and projects that would benefit future generations rather than pursuing narrow personal interests.

“As a country, we must make sure we build our nation. We must not fail our young citizens. We must hold ourselves accountable and continue to speak truthfully to our leaders. Political leaders must put Nigeria’s interests above personal ambitions,” he said.