The Renewal Group (TRG), a political pressure organization, has officially endorsed Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, as its preferred candidate for the upcoming Lagos governorship election. The group also threw its weight behind President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for re-election in the 2027 presidential contest.
Endorsement Announcement
The group's Convener, Lai Omotola, made the endorsement public during a press conference held in Lagos. He stated that TRG's decision to support Tinubu's second-term bid was rooted in the principle of power rotation and the necessity for governance continuity across Nigeria.
Lagos Governorship Race
Regarding the Lagos political landscape, Omotola explained that the endorsement of Hamzat would mark a historic moment, representing what he described as the first organic political transition in Lagos State where a deputy governor directly succeeds a sitting governor. “This is the first time a deputy governor in Lagos will directly succeed a sitting governor. He has worked within the inner circle of government and we believe he will perform well,” Omotola said.
He characterized Hamzat as a well-grounded politician capable of sustaining the developmental vision for Lagos. Omotola emphasized that the state still requires experienced leadership due to mounting infrastructure pressures from rapid urbanization and population growth.
Opposition and Economic Outlook
Commenting on the opposition, Omotola noted that opposition parties currently lack a strong unifying figure capable of effectively challenging an incumbent government. He stressed that Nigeria's economic recovery would largely depend on productivity, industrialization, and sustained construction activities. “For Nigeria to work, Nigerians must work. We are talking about productive work. The only way we can turn the nation around is through a productive economy,” he stated.
Omotola added that the government's responsibility is to create an enabling environment and implement policies that support productivity and economic growth across the country.
Tinubu's Endorsement
On the endorsement of President Tinubu, Omotola argued that since the presidency is currently held by the South, it should remain there in the interest of equity and political balance. He contended that it would be more appropriate for Tinubu, who has already served four years, to complete a second term rather than introducing a fresh candidate from the region.
Despite economic and social challenges, Omotola stated that the Tinubu administration has maintained political stability through effective alignment between the executive and legislative arms of government. He also noted that revenues accruing to the 36 state governments have improved significantly under the current administration compared to previous governments.
The convener further pointed to the performance of the Nigerian stock market, which has recorded remarkable growth under Tinubu's leadership. “When you aggregate the positives and the negatives, for the sake of continuity, we should allow him to complete his tenure,” Omotola said.
Voter Turnout Predictions
Omotola predicted a massive voter turnout in the 2027 elections, noting that Nigerians are becoming increasingly interested in participating in the electoral process. According to him, the anticipated high level of participation means politicians will not take voters for granted during the election cycle.
