Segun Atanda/
The race for the 2027 Lagos governorship has gained fresh momentum following a high-profile endorsement of Deputy Governor Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat by the Human Rights Association (HRA), which has framed the contest as a defining moment for people-centred governance in Nigeria’s commercial capital.
In a statement issued from Cape Town on April 11, 2026, HRA Chairman Saad Kassis-Mohamed declared Hamzat the group’s preferred candidate ahead of the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary slated for May 2026, citing his track record in governance, infrastructure development, and institutional reform.
The endorsement, though issued in the chairman’s personal capacity, underscores what the HRA described as a “principled assessment” of Hamzat’s leadership style, particularly his emphasis on evidence-based policymaking and service delivery targeted at ordinary Lagosians.
Hamzat, who has served as Deputy Governor since 2019, previously held key executive portfolios in science, technology, and infrastructure, roles in which he was credited with driving policy innovation and strengthening institutional capacity in Africa’s largest urban economy.
Kassis-Mohamed argued that Lagos, given its scale and complexity, requires leadership that integrates infrastructure, economic access, and civic dignity into a unified governance agenda.
“Lagos requires a governor who understands that infrastructure, economic access, and civic dignity are not separate agendas. They are one agenda. Dr. Hamzat has demonstrated this over two terms,” he stated.
The HRA was careful to clarify that the endorsement does not amount to institutional alignment with any political party, stressing its independence and long-standing policy of non-partisanship in electoral contests.
However, the chairman said the unique importance of Lagos’ leadership transition warranted a public intervention from a human rights perspective.
The association also emphasised that the final decision rests with party delegates and, ultimately, the Lagos electorate, positioning its endorsement as a contribution to public discourse rather than an attempt to influence democratic outcomes.
Beyond electoral politics, the HRA reiterated its broader mandate across West and Central Africa, which includes humanitarian advocacy, labour rights, and engagement with international institutions such as the United Nations. The group said it remains open to dialogue with all candidates on key governance issues, including public health, labour protections, and civic participation.
It added that it would continue to monitor governance outcomes in Lagos and engage constructively with any administration that demonstrates commitment to the welfare and rights of residents.
With political alignments gradually crystallising ahead of the 2027 polls, the HRA’s endorsement of Hamzat signals an early attempt to shape the narrative, not just around electability, but around the deeper question of what kind of leadership Lagos requires in its next chapter.
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