A coalition of professionals under the aegis of Lagos Technocrats for Hamzat has endorsed Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, for the 2027 governorship election, describing him as the most competent candidate to drive the state’s next phase of development.
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The group announced its position on Tuesday during a press conference in Lagos.

It also unveiled a series of grassroots initiatives, including artificial intelligence training, teacher development, free healthcare outreaches, and youth empowerment schemes to support its vision of technology-driven governance.

Speaking at the event, the Convener of the group, Dr Mike Oladunjoye Egbayelo, stated that Lagos requires a leader whose track record extends beyond politics to core competence and measurable innovation.

​Egbayelo, who is the Chief Executive Officer of Excellerate Business School, noted that the coalition comprises professionals from engineering, healthcare, tech, public policy, and academia.

He revealed that the group will embark on statewide engagements with professional bodies, market leaders, artisans, and students to build support for Hamzat.

​The coalition has set a target to register 50,000 technocrats across Lagos via an online portal. Concurrently, it is launching an “Upskill 10,000″ initiative to train residents in AI, data analytics, solar panel installation, leather works, and garment making.

​”We believe governance should increasingly be driven by innovation, strategic planning, technology, transparency, and measurable outcomes. We also plan to train 1,000 teachers in modern pedagogy, organise free medical missions across the state’s three senatorial districts, and introduce a blindness prevention programme, ” Egbayelo said.

Co-convener Dr Timi Akano, Managing Director of New Horizons Ltd, added that Lagos has the potential to become Africa’s leading AI hub if deliberate investments are made in digital infrastructure.

​Addressing why technocrats—who traditionally stay out of politics—are getting involved, Akano pointed to shifting global economic realities and stricter international migration barriers.

He argued that building a technology-driven local economy is the most sustainable way to create opportunities for young Nigerians and reduce the pressure to emigrate (the Japa phenomenon).

​Egbayelo dismissed concerns about funding or potential fractionalisation along ethnic and religious lines, asserting that the coalition is self-funded through personal contributions and built strictly on professional values rather than political patronage.

​The endorsement comes as political consultations ahead of the 2027 Lagos governorship election gather momentum, with various stakeholder groups beginning to align behind key frontrunners.

Director General of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Governorship Campaign Council for Osun West, Omooba Dotun Babayemi, has expressed optimism that the party will coast home to victory in the coming governorship and the 2027 presidential elections in the state.

Babayemi also appealed to members, leaders, and stakeholders of different political parties in the state to maintain peace by avoiding violence that could lead to loss of life and destruction of property.

The party chieftain made these pleas while speaking separately at about a 20-kilometre ‘Walk to Win’ rally organised to shore up the support base of the gubernatorial candidate of the APC, Asiwaju Bola Oyebamiji, popularly called AMBO, at Ayedade and Iwo local governments, held in Gbongan and Iwo, respectively.

At the two council headquarters, thousands of members and non-members of the APC thronged out, chanting various slogans of the party while the exercise lasted.

“Judging by the enthusiasm being shown by the people of Osun West, especially as reflected in the ‘Walk to Win’ rallies held so far in Gbongan and Iwo, respectively, where thousands of people trooped out, our party will win convincingly at the governorship and the presidential elections,” he declared.

The Director General explained that the ‘Walk to Win’ rallies were held to sensitise the people of Gbongan and Iwo in Ayedade and Iwo council areas about the need to vote for the APC at the governorship and presidential polls.

“We are combing everywhere in the ten local governments which make up our senatorial district. We are leaving no stone unturned in this regard to make our success at the polls a sure bet. We are surely touching other areas in the zone,” Babayemi emphasised.

According to him, the APC governorship candidate, Oyebamiji, was miles ahead of other contenders in the state because of his people-centred programmes capable of transforming the state if given the mandate.

“The massive turnout during the walk to win rallies held at the two council areas of the state was impressive and showed that the APC is a popular party. Also, it is equally an avenue to explain the prosperity embedded in the agenda of Oyebamiji to the people,” he added.

However, the APC chieftain appealed to political parties and residents of the state to shun violence, remain law-abiding, and uphold peace before, during, and after the governorship election.

“Violence will not do anyone any good. The aftermath of its cost could be beyond comprehension. Regardless of our political differences, we remain members of the same family because Osun State is our collective and common heritage. We should not spill blood or destroy property because of politics, as elections will come and go,” Babayemi stressed.

At Gbongan, where the train of the 10-kilometre rally kicked off from the APC Secretariat in Araromi, it moved through Adenuga Palace, Oke-Ofa, Ayepe, Oke Church, and Olufi Market, before terminating at the residence of Babayemi.

Ex-Police Affairs Minister, Alhaji Jelili Adesiyan, Elder Ayo Afolabi, Hon.Taiwo Oluga, Prince Adelani Ajanaku and other prominent party leaders who partook in the event.

Also at Iwo, Babayemi and leaders of the party such as Alhaji Liad Tella, Engr Olasunkanmi Olaniyi, Hon Gafar Akintayo Amere, party executive and host of others, equally graced the occasion attended by many people, which was navigated through Adeeke Junction, main town, ending up at Odoori Market.

*Asagunla hails Tinubu, NWC, BTO, urges candidates to justify party’s confidence

The political atmosphere in Ondo State came alive on Friday as the Asiwaju Mandate Group (AMG) led an unprecedented coalition of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu support groups to stage a grand reception for the nine All Progressives Congress (APC) candidates for the House of Representatives ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The candidates arrived at the Akure Airport to a rousing welcome by thousands of party faithful, supporters and members of various pro-Tinubu organisations, who converged on the airport in a colourful display of solidarity and unity.

Among the groups that participated in the reception were the Asiwaju Mandate Group (AMG), AMG Women Wing, Grassroots Movement for Tinubu (GMT), BTO4PBAT, PBAT Ambassadors, Renewed Hope Volunteers, Progressive Women for Tinubu, Tinubu Support Vanguard, alongside several other grassroots political organisations drawn from the eighteen local government areas of the State.

The excitement soon spilt onto the streets of Akure as the supporters escorted the candidates in a massive motorcade from the airport through major roads in the State capital before terminating at the Fiwasaye Junction, where enthusiastic party members and residents thronged both sides of the roads to welcome the APC flag bearers.

The candidates, comprising Hon. Dr. Oluwatimehin Adeleye of Owo/Ose Federal Constituency; Hon. Okunrinmi John Odimayo of Okitipupa/Irele Federal Constituency; Hon. Festus Ayodele Adefiranye of Ile-Oluji/Oke-Igbo/Odigbo Federal Constituency; Hon. Dr. Michael Akintomide Ajilo of Ondo East/Ondo West Federal Constituency; Hon. Adegboyega Adefarati of Akoko South East/Akoko South West Federal Constituency; Hon. Donald Ojogo of Ilaje/Ese-Odo Federal Constituency; Hon. Ifeoluwa Ehindero of Akoko North East/Akoko North West Federal Constituency; Hon. Festus Olarewaju of Idanre/Ifedore Federal Constituency; and Hon. Omowunmi Olatunji Ohwovoriole of Akure North/Akure South Federal Constituency, later departed for their respective federal constituencies amid cheers from supporters and party faithful.

Speaking during the reception, the Director-General of the Asiwaju Mandate Group, Asiwaju Olumuyiwa Asagunla, described the emergence of the candidates as a testament to the confidence reposed in them by the APC and expressed optimism that they would deliver quality representation to their constituents.

He said the overwhelming turnout recorded at the airport and throughout the motorcade was a reflection of the growing acceptance of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the continued confidence of the people in his progressive leadership.

“The massive reception witnessed today is a clear message that the people of Ondo State remain firmly behind President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the progressive ideals of our great party. It also reflects the unity within our great party and the widespread acceptance already enjoyed by our candidates across the State.

“I equally commend the National Working Committee (NWC) of our great party for conducting a transparent and credible process that produced candidates of proven capacity and integrity. Their commitment to internal democracy has further strengthened the confidence of party members and reaffirmed the APC’s position as a party founded on fairness, justice and due process.

“I must also specially appreciate our indefatigable leader and Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, whose leadership has continued to energise the progressive movement in Ondo State. His political dexterity, commitment to party unity and unwavering loyalty to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu have remained a source of strength for our party and an inspiration to the younger generation of leaders.

“Our candidates should see their emergence not as a personal achievement but as a call to greater service. They must justify the confidence reposed in them by the party through humility, hard work, accessibility and quality representation for the people they seek to serve,” Asagunla said.

He assured that the Asiwaju Mandate Group and the various Tinubu support groups across the State would continue to mobilise massively in support of the APC and work tirelessly to ensure overwhelming victories for all the party’s candidates in the 2027 general elections.t and global standing.