Why Hamzat’s political debate towers above other candidates
By Tunde Alao
Following the Lagos State Governorship Debate organised by the Nigeria Debate Consortium, put together by leading media houses in Nigeria, namely The Punch Newspaper, Vanguard Newspaper, TVC and Channels, supporters and political analysts have highlighted several unique qualities that set Dr Kadri Obafemi Hamzat’s performance apart from those of other candidates.
With a PhD in Systems Process Engineering from Cranfield University, Hamzat demonstrated an analytical approach to solving complex urban problems such as climate change, flooding and integrated transport networks linking rail, road and waterways. This systemic approach contrasted with opposition rhetoric, as he focused heavily on process optimisation, state economic councils and expanding the state’s independent power capabilities beyond the national grid.
As the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Hamzat approached the debate with a distinct technocratic and executive posture, framing the event not as a political rally but as a formal “job interview” for managing Africa’s largest megacity.
His performance was characterised by the following key qualities:
First, he spoke with unmatched institutional knowledge and executive pedigree.
While opposition candidates presented plans from an outsider’s perspective, Hamzat anchored his responses in deep administrative experience. He highlighted his career trajectory, from serving as a Special Assistant to serving 12 years as a Commissioner (Science and Technology, then Works and Infrastructure), followed by nearly eight years as Deputy Governor.
This allowed him to speak with precision about the mechanics of Lagos governance, land administration and the state’s massive economic engine rather than relying on abstract theories.
Second, he presented a concrete, trackable manifesto: “The Lagos Promise”.
Unlike general campaign promises, Hamzat introduced a structured, highly specific framework called The Lagos Promise (Ìlérí Èkó). He explicitly broke this down into a seven-pillar acronym designed for strict accountability:
P – People First; R – Renewal; O – Opportunity; M – Machinery of Government; I – Inclusion; S – Security and Resilience; and E – Everyday Dignity.
By backing this framework with 100 specific pledges, he dared voters to “judge his plan” the same way they would hire someone to manage their own family affairs.
Third, he offered pragmatic, data-driven solutions rather than “skyscrapers in the air”.
Hamzat continuously emphasised that Lagos cannot be governed through “mere experimentation” or lofty slogans, stating that he refuses to “build skyscrapers in the air”.
When discussing major state issues, he defended current policy outcomes with technical depth.
For instance, while discussing accommodation, especially real estate and rent, he addressed rent inflation by pointing directly to the enforcement of the Lagos State Real Estate Agency Law (passed a year earlier) and details of its one-year rent cap.
On digitisation, he advocated reducing land regularisation costs and speeding up the issuance of Certificates of Occupancy (CofO) through systematic government digitisation, a field he pioneered as Commissioner for Science and Technology.
In the area of infrastructure, the APC governorship candidate outlined highly realistic timelines for decentralised service delivery across the IBILE divisions to decongest the central Alausa Secretariat. This would mark a clear departure from the current practice, where every transaction is centred in Alausa.
Decentralisation of service delivery across the five divisions that make up Lagos will make things easier for the people and institutions that have one thing or another to do with the government.
Academic and technical flair: By emphasising measurable metrics, institutional memory and a “work before announcement” philosophy, Hamzat’s debate presentation aimed to assure voters that his candidacy represents a stable, highly competent progression for Lagos State rather than a political gamble.
-Tunde Alao is a Senior Special Assistant to the Governor of Lagos State (serving in the Office of the Deputy Governor).