Sanwo-Olu Joins Lagosians at Onikan Rally in Support of Tinubu, Hamzat, APC Leaders

LAGOS, October: Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has joined party leaders, supporters and residents at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan, to mobilise support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima and the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The rally, held on Tuesday as part of the PBAT Door-to-Door Campaign, also rallied support for Lagos State Deputy Governor and APC governorship candidate, Dr Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, and his running mate, Princess Damilola Sonayon-James.

Sanwo-Olu said the gathering provided an opportunity for political leaders to connect directly with the people, listen to their concerns and reaffirm their commitment to the continued development of Lagos State and Nigeria.

In a message following the event, the governor thanked Lagosians and party faithful who attended the rally, acknowledging their support and the expectations they had placed on the state’s political leadership.

He stressed that the confidence of the people would not be taken for granted, adding that the government and party leaders must continue working to meet the aspirations of residents.

The governor’s remarks came as the APC intensifies its grassroots mobilisation efforts ahead of the 2027 elections, with the party seeking to secure another term for Tinubu at the federal level and retain control of Lagos State.

Door-to-door campaign targets grassroots engagement

The PBAT Door-to-Door Campaign is designed to strengthen direct engagement between the president’s supporters and Nigerians across different communities.

Speaking at the Lagos rally, Sanwo-Olu said the initiative offered an opportunity to explain government policies and programmes while giving citizens a platform to express their concerns.

He encouraged young people, older citizens and Nigerians from different backgrounds to participate in the political process, emphasising that national development requires the involvement of people across all sections of society.

The campaign also seeks to mobilise support for the Tinubu-Shettima ticket and the APC’s candidates in Lagos State as political activities gather momentum ahead of the next general elections.

The Onikan gathering forms part of a broader effort by the Lagos APC to strengthen its grassroots structures, engage supporters and consolidate the party’s position ahead of the polls.

Sanwo-Olu backs Hamzat-Sonayon-James ticket

The rally also highlighted the APC’s preparations for the 2027 Lagos governorship election, with Sanwo-Olu backing his deputy, Hamzat, as his preferred successor.

Hamzat emerged as the party’s governorship candidate following its primary election in May 2026, while Sonayon-James was subsequently selected as his running mate.

Sanwo-Olu formally presented the ticket in June, describing the pair as possessing the experience, competence and energy required to sustain the state’s development agenda.

Hamzat has served as Lagos deputy governor since 2019 and has been a key member of the administration led by Sanwo-Olu.

Sonayon-James, an APC grassroots politician and sustainability professional from Badagry, has also been presented by party leaders as a candidate whose involvement could strengthen community engagement and broaden participation in governance.

The APC leadership has continued to rally party members and stakeholders behind the ticket, positioning continuity, experience and development as central themes of its campaign.

Development and public expectations

Sanwo-Olu also reaffirmed the importance of responding to the expectations of Lagos residents, noting that political support must be matched by a sustained commitment to public service.

Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial centre, continues to face demands for improvements in transportation, road infrastructure, healthcare, education, housing, employment and the cost of living.

The state government has highlighted investments in rail transportation, road networks, healthcare facilities, education and digital governance as important elements of its development agenda.

The challenge for the state’s political leadership will be to ensure that such investments translate into tangible improvements in the daily lives of residents, particularly amid economic pressures facing households and businesses.

Sanwo-Olu’s message of appreciation following the rally underscored the importance of maintaining public confidence and acknowledging the responsibility that comes with political support.

He thanked those who made time to attend the gathering, assuring them that their expectations remained important and that efforts would continue towards delivering on commitments to the people.

APC looks towards 2027

The rally reflects the growing political activity surrounding the 2027 general elections, with the APC stepping up efforts to mobilise supporters for Tinubu’s re-election bid and Hamzat’s governorship campaign in Lagos.

For the ruling party, grassroots engagement is expected to remain a central component of its strategy, particularly in a state with a large and politically diverse electorate.

As the campaigns progress, the party’s ability to maintain unity, address voters’ concerns and demonstrate the impact of its policies is likely to remain important to its electoral prospects.

Sanwo-Olu expressed appreciation to Lagosians for their participation and support, reiterating the need for continued cooperation between political leaders and the people.

He said the commitment to progress must remain focused on building a stronger Lagos State and a more prosperous Nigeria.