Lagos State Deputy Governor and All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate for the 2027 election, Dr Kadri Hamzat, has declared himself the best candidate to succeed Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

Hamzat said his knowledge of Lagos State’s history, politics and governance, as well as his years of experience in government, had prepared him for the responsibility of leading the state.

He made the declaration on Sunday during the 70th Harvest Anniversary and Thanksgiving Service of the Cherubim and Seraphim Society, Olorunsogo Parish, Ese-Ofin, Lagos.

The deputy governor said understanding the history and political structure of Lagos was essential for anyone seeking to govern the state effectively.

According to him, his familiarity with the state’s political and administrative landscape would enable him to address challenges more effectively.

“I know the people that have ruled this state before and if I have any problems on land issues, I know where to go.

“Though nobody is perfect, I understand Lagos thoroughly.”

Hamzat also cautioned residents against politicians who make attractive promises during election campaigns without understanding the realities confronting the state.

He said the 2027 election season would bring several politicians seeking votes and making promises to residents, but maintained that the APC would focus on the actual situation in Lagos.

“Now we have come to the campaign period, different politicians will come to you to canvass for votes, promising heaven and earth.

“We in APC will not lie because we know the situation of things in the state,” he said.

The deputy governor stressed the economic importance of Lagos to Nigeria, arguing that the state’s position as a major contributor to the national economy meant that its leadership should not be entrusted to inexperienced individuals.

“Lagos is more important than being used for jokes. Today, Nigeria is collecting over 33 per cent of GDP from Lagos.

“So, the state cannot be taken for granted. We cannot just allow any inexperienced person to rule the state,” Hamzat said.

Hamzat highlights experience
The APC candidate also recounted his entry into the Lagos State Government, saying his relationship with then-Governor Bola Tinubu began during a visit by Tinubu to New York in 2005.

Hamzat said Tinubu saw him while he was presenting a paper and subsequently invited him to return to Nigeria and contribute to the development of Lagos.

He said he had since served the state in several capacities, including Commissioner for Science and Technology, Commissioner for Works and, currently, Deputy Governor.

“Since then, I have worked as Commissioner for Science and Technology, Commissioner for Works and currently as Deputy Governor of the state.

“I understand the history and politics of Lagos,” he said.

Hamzat also called on Nigerians to continue praying for the country, saying God had a purpose for creating them in Nigeria.

Sanwo-Olu’s wife, others attend anniversary
The event also featured remarks from Dr Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, wife of the Lagos State Governor, who expressed delight at returning to the church for the 70th harvest anniversary.

“I haven’t been here for over four years, but thank God I am here today to celebrate with you,” she said.

Sanwo-Olu’s wife also commended the Lagos State APC Chairman, Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi, who is a senior apostle of the church and a member of the community.

“We are grateful to God for giving us someone like the Lagos State APC Chairman, Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi, who came from here,” she said.

Founder of Love of Christ Generation Church, Rev. Esther Ajayi, urged Nigerians to continue praying for the country’s leaders and seeking God’s mercy.

She prayed for divine mercy and guidance, stressing that God’s mercy was essential to success in life.

Ojelabi, who spoke on the significance of the anniversary, said the celebration was organised not only to mark the church’s 70 years but also to give back to the community.

He explained that the programme began with a Night of Praise on Friday, followed by a medical outreach on Saturday to provide assistance to residents of the rural community.

“To cap it up, we realised we are in a rural area and needed to encourage our people through medical check-ups.

“So, that brought the idea of medical outreach on Saturday, and I’m so glad many people turned up for the programme. Today is the grand finale,” he said.

Ojelabi further urged Nigerians to strengthen their relationship with God and encouraged religious leaders to uphold Christian values in their activities.

He said religious leaders should recognise that their conduct was being observed by members of the public and should therefore lead by example.

The anniversary was attended by traditional rulers, APC chieftains, Lagos State commissioners, local government chairmen and members of the Lagos State House of Assembly.

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, has reaffirmed the commission’s neutrality ahead of the 2027 general election, stressing that INEC has no candidate or political party to favour.

Amupitan made the position known during a stakeholder engagement visit to the Emir of Zazzau, Amb. Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli, as part of efforts by the electoral commission to strengthen collaboration with traditional institutions and other stakeholders ahead of the 2027 elections.

The INEC chairman’s remarks were contained in a post shared on the commission’s official X handle on Sunday.

Amupitan said the commission’s responsibility was to conduct elections in accordance with the Constitution, the Electoral Act and other applicable regulations, rather than advance the interests of any political party or candidate.

He assured stakeholders that INEC would maintain its independence and impartiality throughout the electoral process.

According to him, “INEC has no candidate and no political party,” underscoring the commission’s institutional position as an electoral umpire rather than a participant in the political contest.

The visit to the Emir of Zazzau formed part of INEC’s wider stakeholder engagement ahead of the 2027 general elections, with traditional rulers expected to play a role in voter education, peaceful participation and the promotion of credible electoral processes within their communities.

The commission has repeatedly stated that stakeholder collaboration would be important to the successful conduct of the 2027 elections, particularly in promoting peaceful elections and encouraging eligible Nigerians to participate in the electoral process.

In February, Amupitan said INEC remained committed to acting impartially and professionally, guided by the Constitution, the Electoral Act and its regulations and guidelines.

He also called on political parties to conduct peaceful and credible primaries and urged candidates, supporters and voters to maintain peaceful conduct throughout the electoral cycle.

The commission has also released its timetable for the 2027 general elections. Its published schedule lists the Presidential and National Assembly elections for February 20, 2027, while the Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections are scheduled for March 6, 2027.

As political parties and prospective candidates intensify preparations for the elections, INEC is expected to continue its engagements with traditional institutions, political parties, civil society organisations, security agencies, the media and other stakeholders.

The commission has identified voter education, stakeholder engagement, the strengthening of electoral technology and the maintenance of an accurate voter register among the areas requiring sustained attention ahead of the elections.

Amupitan’s latest assurance comes as political activities ahead of the 2027 elections continue to gather momentum, with parties and aspirants positioning themselves for the various elective offices.

The INEC chairman’s statement therefore places emphasis on the commission’s stated role as an impartial electoral umpire and its responsibility to provide a level playing field for all political parties and candidates participating in the elections.

Two inmates have died following a cholera outbreak at the Kurmawa Medium Security Custodial Centre in Kano State, the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has confirmed.

The Service said the outbreak was confirmed through laboratory tests conducted on September 23 by its medical team in collaboration with Kano State public health authorities.

According to a statement issued on Saturday by the NCoS spokesman, Chief Superintendent of Corrections JN Osuji, the outbreak was first detected on September 17 after an inmate developed symptoms including vomiting and diarrhoea.

The inmate was immediately admitted to the facility’s medical centre for treatment, while emergency medical protocols were activated the following morning.

Osuji said health workers subsequently intensified medical intervention, monitoring and disease-control measures to prevent the spread of the infection among inmates and personnel.

The NCoS disclosed that one of the affected inmates died at the custodial centre, while the second death occurred at the Kano State Infectious Diseases Hospital, where the inmate had been receiving treatment.

“The Service regrets that the outbreak claimed two lives; one at the facility and the other at the Kano State Infectious Diseases Hospital,” the statement said.

Following confirmation of the outbreak, the NCoS said it worked with the Kano State Government to implement coordinated measures aimed at containing the disease and protecting other inmates and correctional officers.

The Service said the interventions had brought the outbreak under control, noting that no additional deaths had been recorded since the diagnosis.

It added that further preventive measures had been introduced to minimise the risk of another outbreak within the facility.

The Controller-General of Corrections, Sylvester Ndidi Nwakuche, expressed condolences to the families of the deceased inmates and directed that all measures necessary to protect inmates and personnel should be sustained.

Nwakuche also ordered a team of senior medical personnel from the NCoS National Headquarters to proceed to the custodial centre to monitor the situation and support ongoing medical interventions.

“The Controller-General has further directed a team of senior medical personnel from the Service’s National Headquarters to proceed to the facility for sustained monitoring of the situation,” the statement added.

The NCoS said it was strengthening continuous disease surveillance, early detection and prompt medical intervention across custodial facilities nationwide as part of efforts to prevent and manage infectious disease outbreaks.

The Service reassured the public that healthcare services remained available to inmates through qualified medical personnel.
It also urged members of the public to rely on verified information from official channels regarding the situation at the Kano custodial centre.