Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and his deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, have called for unity among party members as the APC formally begins mobilisation ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The appeal came during an interfaith prayer session organised for APC candidates at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan, Lagos Island, on Tuesday. The event brought together Christian, Muslim and traditional worshippers, who offered prayers for the party’s candidates and a peaceful electoral process.
Governor Sanwo-Olu urged APC candidates and supporters to trust in God’s direction, noting that the Almighty had entrusted the leadership of the country and Lagos State to those currently in government. He prayed for the success of the APC presidential candidate, the Lagos governorship candidate, and other contestants for the National Assembly and Lagos State House of Assembly elections.
Expressing confidence that Lagosians would back the party’s slate, Sanwo-Olu prayed for victory at the polls and emphasized the need for peaceful elections free from clashes, accidents or disasters. He said the gathering was meant to commit the candidates and the electoral process into God’s hands and seek divine intervention for a smooth and successful outcome.
Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, Director-General of the Hamzat Campaign Organisation, said the prayer was necessary because human efforts alone cannot determine every outcome. He urged party members to prioritize the APC above personal ambitions, warning that internal disagreements must not weaken the party before the elections.
Obanikoro called for dialogue, reconciliation, discipline and unity among candidates and supporters, urging them to campaign with respect and focus on their capacity to serve. He said the campaign organisation would take the APC message to every corner of Lagos State, its local governments and the wider South-West, expressing confidence in victory for the party at the presidential, National Assembly and state levels. He particularly projected the emergence of Dr. Obafemi Hamzat as Lagos State Governor and Damilola Sonayon James as Deputy Governor.
Speaking at the prayer, Hamzat said the event was an opportunity to commit the party’s candidates and the electoral process to God. He prayed for peaceful elections without clashes, accidents or loss of lives, while expressing confidence that God would grant the party victory.
Hamzat, the current deputy governor, also expressed confidence in the success of APC candidates contesting the three senatorial seats, 24 House of Representatives seats and 40 Lagos State House of Assembly seats.
The event featured prayers by Christian, Muslim and traditional worshippers for the candidates, the party and the peaceful conduct of the 2027 elections.
Prominent attendees included Iyiola Danmole, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, Speaker Mudashiru Obasa, former Speaker Adeyemi Ikuforiji, Pa Tajudeen Olusi, Senator Ganiu Solomon, Jumoke Okoya-Thomas, Idiat Adebule, Wale Edun, Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi, Fouad Oki, members of the National Assembly, House of Assembly, chairmen of the 20 Local Government Areas and 37 Local Council Development Areas, religious bodies, monarchs, traditionalists and supporters.