Hamzat had already accumulated 13 years of public service experience under former governors Bola Tinubu and Babatunde Fashola, making him a strong contender for the governorship position
By Mmesoma Onwuka
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has described his deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, as a tested administrator with the experience, technical knowledge and leadership capacity to sustain the state’s development programmes.
Sanwo-Olu gave the assessment while recounting their political partnership, particularly the events leading to his emergence as the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in 2018.
He disclosed that Hamzat, who was also aspiring to become governor at the time, agreed to step down after party leaders appealed to him to support Sanwo-Olu’s ambition.
The governor said Hamzat had already accumulated 13 years of public service experience under former governors Bola Tinubu and Babatunde Fashola, making him a strong contender for the governorship position.
He noted that his deputy accepted the party’s decision without resentment and agreed to join him on the governorship ticket approximately five weeks later.
Sanwo-Olu described the decision as a demonstration of Hamzat’s commitment to party unity and the collective interest of Lagos State.
Reflecting on their seven-year partnership, which he described as 2,711 days of working together, the governor said the experience had afforded him an opportunity to understand his deputy’s character, dedication and capacity beyond his professional qualifications.
He identified the COVID-19 pandemic, the delivery of the Blue and Red rail lines and the commencement of operations at the Lekki Deep Sea Port as some of the major developments and challenges they had jointly navigated.
According to him, Hamzat’s engineering expertise had provided valuable technical input during the execution of critical infrastructure projects, enabling the administration to benefit from his professional experience.
The governor also dismissed the perception that the office of deputy governor was largely ceremonial, insisting that Hamzat had been deeply involved in the administration’s decision-making and governance processes.
He recalled that Hamzat had promised to distinguish himself as one of the best deputy governors in Lagos and had consistently demonstrated commitment to that objective.
Sanwo-Olu said their relationship was founded on trust, loyalty and a shared vision for the state, adding that their understanding of the administration’s priorities had remained consistent.
On political succession, the governor likened Lagos’ leadership transition process to a relay race, where each administration receives the responsibility of building on the achievements of its predecessor.
He cited the successive administrations of Tinubu, Fashola, Ambode and the current government as examples of a political arrangement that prioritises continuity in governance.
Sanwo-Olu also highlighted Hamzat’s contributions to infrastructure and public sector reforms, including his involvement in the Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge project and the digitalisation of government operations.
He further pointed to Hamzat’s academic background, including his doctorate in engineering, as well as his family’s record of public service, noting that his father served under former Governor Lateef Jakande.
Addressing concerns about the concentration of political leadership within a particular circle in Lagos, Sanwo-Olu maintained that the state had a tradition of identifying and preparing competent individuals through years of public service.
He argued that the magnitude of ongoing projects and the Lagos development blueprint extending to 2052 made continuity and institutional experience important considerations in determining the state’s next leadership.
The governor said Hamzat’s aspiration would provide an opportunity to consolidate existing programmes and sustain the development direction already established by successive administrations.
He urged Lagos residents to support the next phase of the state’s development, describing Hamzat as someone who understands the administration’s policies, challenges and long-term objectives.