With the APC governorship primaries deadline set for May 21, Otunba Lanre Jim-Kamal has officially declared his intention to become the party's flag-bearer for the 2027 general election in Lagos State. He presented a five-point agenda and announced a $50 billion partnership to support state development.
Jim-Kamal made his official declaration while addressing party leaders and supporters in Ikeja on Saturday. He assured Lagosians that within two years of his administration, they would be consuming rice grown within the state, as his investors have expressed interest in establishing rice plantations in Badagry.
His five-point agenda includes free automated education at all levels, free automated medical services at all levels, massive infrastructure development, decongestion of concentric zones, and human capital development.
Jim-Kamal praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his achievements in Nigeria and Lagos. He stated, "A good prophet is not accepted among his people, but this time around, we are accepting Bola Ahmed Tinubu, our president. He has done a lot for Nigeria, Yoruba, and particularly Lagos State." He added, "I am here to praise President Bola Ahmed Tinubu because many don't know what he has been doing for Nigeria, especially the Southwest and Lagos State. I know because I am a partaker. I want Nigeria to know that all his reforms are to the benefit of Nigeria."
Born and raised in Isheri-Oke, now called Ikosi-Isheri, Jim-Kamal decried the marginalization of core indigenes such as the Aworis, who control 16 out of the 20 local governments in the state. "We are now out to take what rightfully belongs to us, and we are determined to get it," he said.
As chairman and CEO of Nigerturk Consortium Limited based in Abuja, Jim-Kamal decided to serve his people by committing 70 percent of his time to politics after years in business. He stressed that his administration's core focus would be the family, alleviating women's suffering, ensuring all children attend school, and implementing a "human face law" prohibiting children from hawking on the streets. He also promised to end unemployment in Lagos.
He pledged that his administration would pay a minimum of 100,000 naira monthly to all unemployed youth aged 18 to 29 who register at their local governments, regardless of their qualifications. They would then be placed in jobs through synergy with companies in Lagos. Additionally, every indigene aged 60 and above would receive 150,000 naira monthly. Jim-Kamal assured that these are policy statements that will be repeated on inauguration day.
"We are going to decongest the concentric zones in Lagos State by opening up Badagry to the Seme border through housing, markets, and projects that will encourage people to leave the center and move to that side," he explained.
On security, Jim-Kamal said his government would police Lagos by installing security gates at all entrances and exits to monitor everyone entering the state.
