Deputy Governor of Lagos State and the All Progressives Congress, APC, governorship candidate for the 2027 election in the state, Dr Obafemi Hamzat has said that several politicians seeking to challenge President Bola Tinubu in 2027 lack the vision necessary to drive meaningful national transformation.

Hamzat made the remarks on Sunday while addressing members of the APC State Chairmen’s Forum during their visit to major infrastructure projects across Lagos State.

The forum members also paid a courtesy visit to the deputy governor at his residence in Ikoyi.

Speaking on criticisms directed at President Tinubu by some presidential aspirants, Hamzat maintained that many of those seeking leadership positions do not possess the foresight required to govern effectively.

“Many who want to lead do not have vision. We are grateful to have leaders with foresight. Many people could not see what Asiwaju Tinubu envisioned years ago,” he said.

Hamzat described Tinubu as a leader who encourages inclusiveness, innovation and intellectual contributions, regardless of who presents the ideas.

“Before the President, nobody is too small. Once your idea is better, it takes precedence, even above the President’s own. He gives room for ideas to grow,” he added.

The deputy governor noted that Tinubu’s decision to establish specialised agencies during his administration was informed by his belief that dedicated institutions could achieve more effective results than traditional ministries.

According to him, several transformative projects currently shaping Lagos and Nigeria are products of Tinubu’s long-term vision and strategic planning.

Hamzat cited projects such as the rail transport system, the Lekki Free Trade Zone, Eko Atlantic City, the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and the Badagry-Sokoto Highway as examples of initiatives conceived through visionary leadership.

“These projects are not merely for transportation; they are meant to industrialise the country and connect Nigerians,” he said.

He explained that improved infrastructure and transportation networks would enhance trade, deepen national unity and stimulate long-term economic growth.

Hamzat further stated that Tinubu’s capacity to attract both domestic and international investors stems from his developmental vision and consistent economic policies.

He also urged APC state chairmen to maintain close working relationships with their respective governors, stressing their importance within the party structure.

“It is important that we continue to strengthen our party,” he said.

The deputy governor equally advised elected public office holders to recognise the significance of political parties in democratic governance and draw lessons from established democracies around the world.

“We must ensure that every elected official understands the importance and value of the party.

“As a nation, we must continue working towards building this country. We cannot afford to fail our people,” he said.

Hamzat also charged leaders at all levels of government to remain transparent and accountable, reminding them that they would ultimately answer to God for their stewardship.

Former President Goodluck Jonathan says he was never offered N500 billion to contest against the National Democratic Congress, NDC, presidential candidate, Peter Obi, in the 2027 general election to divide votes in the South-South region.

Jonathan made this clarification in a statement through his Special Adviser on Media, Dr Ikechukwu Eze, on Sunday.

Eze described the speculation as completely false, baseless and a deliberate attempt to drag him into needless political controversy.

According to him, the report falsely claimed that Jonathan disclosed receiving an offer of N500 billion to challenge Peter Obi in the presidential race.

He noted that the publication failed to provide basic details expected of a credible report, including when and where the alleged statement was made, the identity of those who supposedly made the offer, or any witnesses to support the claim.

The ex-president’s media aide added that the story bore all the characteristics of fabricated news designed to mislead the public and create unnecessary political tension ahead of the 2027 general elections.

“Jonathan was never involved in the ‘N500 billion offer to divide the South’s votes against Peter Obi in the 2027 general elections.

“Nigerians should disregard the report entirely and exercise caution by verifying sensational political claims before circulating them.

“The build-up to every election season often witnesses a surge in misinformation and fake attributions, warning that such reports should not be mistaken for verified facts.

“Jonathan has not made any statement suggesting he was offered money to contest the presidency or undermine any candidate,” Eze said.

A major showdown may occur today, Monday, in Ilorin, Kwara State as G15, a group of All Progressives Congress members, aggrived with the outcome of the recent party primaries in the state have dared Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq to stop their planned mega rally in the state capital.

DAILY POST gathered authoritatively that the G15 in the state APC, comprising stakeholders, leaders, aggrieved aspirants in the governorship, national and state assemblies primaries had earlier scheduled their rally for Sunday but were outsmarted by the loyalists in the governor’s camp who hurriedly organized their rally on the same day.

The G15 group was forced to postpone its rally for security reasons to avoid possible breakdown of law and order.

However, barely hours after the governor’s camp’s rally, the G15 issued a statement titled “Nothing can stop Monday, tomorrow’s rally”, accusing the governor of alleged plans to frustrate their solidarity walk in the state capital.

The statement read in part, “the G15 Coalition, a formidable bloc within the Kwara State All Progressives Congress (APC) comprising the stakeholders, aspirants and leaders of thought in the party, has issued an unyielding response to fresh allegations that the Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq is orchestrating a desperate plot to sabotage the coalition’s rescheduled solidarity rally fixed for Monday.

“We have been informed that the Governor, in a last-minute move fuelled by palpable fear, is planning a parallel show of strength—a hastily arranged “thank-you visit” to the Emir’s Palace, deliberately timed to clash with our peaceful procession. 

“This is nothing but a transparent act of political desperation from a man who has suddenly found himself in the minority within his own party.

“It is laughable and frankly pitiful, that a sitting Governor would resort to panic-driven tactics to counter a gathering of party faithful who are exercising their fundamental rights to assemble and express solidarity. 

“The G15 is not a threat to Kwara’s peace; we are the conscience of the APC in this state. The Governor’s alleged move to pay Kwarans to boycott our rally just as earlier done on Sunday exposes his deep-seated fear of the massive outpouring of support that awaits us.

“We have reliably gathered that agents of the Governor have been dispatched to corners of the state, offering financial inducements to civil servants, market women, and youth groups to stay away from the G15 rally, while simultaneously mobilising paid crowds to create a fabricated spectacle of popularity at the Emir’s Palace. 

“This is an insult to the intelligence of Kwarans and a sad commentary on the state of leadership in our beloved state.”

The G15 declared unequivocally that nothing would stop the rally, stressing “Not threats. Not intimidation. Not financial inducements from the government treasury.

“The G15 is driven by the will of the people, and the people of Kwara State are fed up with a leadership that has lost touch with its base.

“Governor AbdulRazaq cannot buy his way out of the reckoning that is coming. He cannot counter genuine grassroots support with rented crowds and state-sponsored mobilisation.”

The group called on the state Police Command and other security agencies to remain neutral and professional in the discharge of their duties.

“Our rally is a peaceful expression of solidarity and a celebration of the democratic ideals that bind us as members of the APC. We will not be provoked, we will not be cowed, and we will not be silenced,” it stated. 

The G15 urged Kwarans to come out today, Monday, in their numbers and show the governor that no amount of blackmail or bribery can diminish the people’s resolve as it stands for inclusion, fairness, and true internal democracy. 

“We are the future of this party, and we will not be intimidated by a desperate empire fighting to retain its fading grip on power,” it further declared.