The Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has said governing the state requires experience, institutional knowledge and a clear understanding of public administration, arguing that it is not an assignment for political apprentices.
The party made the assertion while defending its governorship candidate, Obafemi Hamzat, following his participation in the Lagos governorship debate organised by the Nigeria Debate Consortium on Sunday.
In a statement issued on Monday, the Lagos APC spokesman, Hon. Seye Oladejo, said Hamzat demonstrated preparedness, confidence, policy depth and an understanding of the complexities of governing Lagos during the debate.
He added that Hamzat also spoke about drainage infrastructure, waste management, healthcare and social infrastructure.
“Governing Lagos is not an experimental exercise, neither is it an assignment for political apprentices. It requires a thorough understanding of the machinery of government, the peculiarities of the state’s economy and the intricate relationship between policy formulation and implementation,” he said.
Oladejo said Hamzat’s experience as commissioner for Science and Technology, commissioner for Works and two-term deputy governor provided him with institutional knowledge of Lagos and its development challenges.
He said the candidate’s manifesto, The Lagos Promise, was built on accumulated governance experience and lessons from previous administrations, expressing hope that its commitments would translate into measurable improvements in residents’ quality of life.
The APC spokesman commended the Nigeria Debate Consortium and participating media organisations for providing a platform for issue-based democratic engagement.
He also urged Lagos residents to look beyond political theatrics and personality contests when assessing the candidates, and scrutinise their policy proposal.
“The future of Lagos deserves more than slogans. It demands experience, tested leadership, policy depth, institutional understanding and a demonstrable commitment to delivering results.
“The Lagos governorship debate has once again brought the critical question of leadership and preparedness to the fore,” Oladejo added.
(The Whistler)