2027: Sanwo-Olu, Hamzat urge peaceful elections
— Lagos APC vows full mobilisation for Tinubu, Hamzat, candidates
By Olasunkanmi Akoni
LAGOS — Ahead of the 2027 general elections, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, his deputy, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, and leaders of the All Progressives Congress, APC, have urged residents to shun violence and ensure peaceful conduct before, during and after the polls.
They made the call on Tuesday at an interdenominational prayer session for the re-election of President Bola Tinubu, the election of Hamzat as Lagos State governor and other APC candidates, held at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan, Lagos Island.
The prayer session, attended by party leaders, supporters and religious faithful, was organised to seek divine guidance, commit the party’s electoral aspirations to God and formally commence mobilisation for the 2027 elections.
Among those at the event were Senator Musiliu Obanikoro; Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa; former Speaker of the House, Adeyemi Ikuforiji; Pa Tajudeen Olusi; Senator Ganiu Solomon; Jumoke Okoya-Thomas; Senator Idiat Adebule; Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun; APC Lagos Chairman, Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi; Fouad Oki; members of the National Assembly and state House of Assembly; members of Conference 57 comprising 20 local government chairmen and 37 Local Council Development Area chairmen, as well as traditional rulers and religious leaders.
Speaking at the event, Sanwo-Olu stressed the importance of laying a spiritual foundation ahead of political activities.
He said the party would combine prayer with grassroots mobilisation and engagement with voters across the state.
Sanwo-Olu said although the party was relying on prayer, its members were also conscious that “faith without work is dead.”
He said the APC would not take any voter, community or stakeholder for granted, adding that the party planned to take its campaign to communities across the 20 local government areas and 37 LCDAs of the state.
According to him, the party’s objectives include securing the re-election of President Tinubu and victory for its National Assembly and state-level candidates.
Sanwo-Olu also pledged his support for Hamzat and his running mate, Damilola James-Sonayon, urging party members and residents to ensure that the electoral process remained peaceful and free from violence.
He further pledged to participate in the national presidential campaign to support the party’s efforts ahead of the election.
The governor prayed for a peaceful and prosperous Nigeria, stressing the need for unity and national development.
Also speaking, Hamzat said the prayer session provided an opportunity to commit the party’s candidates and the electoral process to God.
He prayed for peaceful elections without clashes, accidents or loss of lives, while expressing confidence in the prospects of APC candidates.
Hamzat also expressed confidence in the party’s candidates contesting the three senatorial seats, 24 House of Representatives seats and 40 Lagos State House of Assembly seats.
Earlier, the Director-General of the Kadiri Obafemi Hamzat, KOH, Campaign Council, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, said the prayer was necessary because human efforts alone could not determine the outcome of every circumstance.
Obanikoro urged party members to place the interest of the APC above personal ambitions, warning that internal disagreements should not weaken the party ahead of the elections.
He called for dialogue, reconciliation, discipline and unity among candidates and supporters, urging them to campaign with respect and focus on their capacity to serve the people.
Obanikoro said the campaign organisation would take the APC’s message to communities across Lagos State and the wider South-West.
He expressed confidence that the APC would emerge victorious in the presidential, National Assembly and state elections, particularly projecting the emergence of Hamzat as governor and Damilola Sonayon James as deputy governor.
The event featured prayers by Christian, Muslim and traditional worshippers for Tinubu, Hamzat, other APC candidates and the peaceful conduct of the 2027 elections.
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