By Daniel Oluwatobiloba Popoola
Lagos State Deputy Governor and All Progressives Congress governorship candidate for 2027, Dr Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, has highlighted the roles of successive administrations in developing institutions and infrastructure that he said have shaped the state’s growth.
Hamzat made the remarks while speaking on the evolution of leadership in Lagos, citing the administrations of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, former governors Babatunde Fashola and Akinwunmi Ambode, and the incumbent governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
He recalled that Tinubu, who governed Lagos State before becoming President, established institutions and initiatives that included the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority, LAMATA; Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, LASTMA; the Bus Rapid Transit, BRT, system; and additional Local Council Development Areas.
According to Hamzat, the Tinubu administration also introduced public emergency-response infrastructure, including the 112 emergency line and public ambulance services, which he said were not available in the state at the time.
He recalled his experience as Commissioner for Science and Technology under the administration, saying he was part of efforts to secure a dedicated emergency telephone line for Lagos.
“I recall the day I, as Commissioner for Science and Tech, went to Abuja and we went to a meeting to say we need a dedicated line,” Hamzat said, recounting the response from officials at the then Ministry of Science and Technology.
He said the initiatives demonstrated how new ideas and institutional reforms had contributed to changes in the state.
Hamzat also recalled the administration of Fashola, saying the former governor demonstrated the importance of credibility in governance and its relationship with public confidence.
He cited Fashola’s administration’s infrastructure projects and tax reforms, recalling a meeting in which former British Prime Minister David Cameron asked how Lagos had increased tax collection.
“I was in the meeting and he said it’s about credibility. They are able to see what we are using money for,” Hamzat said, recounting Fashola’s explanation.
He further acknowledged the development recorded during Ambode’s administration before highlighting what he described as the steady leadership of Sanwo-Olu.
Hamzat also cited the state’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic under Sanwo-Olu, saying the experience demonstrated the importance of continuity and institutional experience in governance.
“There has been change of ideas, interesting, but like I said, experience is very important,” he said.
Hamzat’s remarks formed part of his argument on the role of progressive leadership and accumulated experience in the development of Lagos, with the APC candidate pointing to successive administrations as stages in the state’s institutional and infrastructural growth.
