By Mobolaji Sanusi
“The visionary starts with a clean sheet of paper, and re-imagines the world.”—Malcolm Gladwell
In my a part of the world, one acquainted cliché routinely finds its method into on a regular basis conversations: “a promise is a debt.” It is an expression so continuously invoked that it has nearly turn out to be an accepted precept of social interplay. But in relation to the official conduct of public affairs on this a part of the world, a basic query arises: Is a promise actually a debt, and might those that make guarantees within the political enviornment be held to account for fulfilling them?
Under the legislation of contract that applies throughout authorized jurisdictions, an trade of guarantees is mostly recognised as legally binding and enforceable, besides the place it constitutes a nudum pactum, which implies a naked settlement unsupported by consideration. In its on a regular basis utilization, Wikipedia defines a promise as “a commitment by someone to do or not to do something.” This additionally finds additional expression within the common Latin authorized maxim, pacta sunt servanda, which states that agreements have to be stored. The precept will not be restricted to non-public contractual relationships; it additionally affords a compelling ethical and political commonplace in opposition to which public commitments, together with socio-political agreements between elected leaders and their constituents, should be measured.
As the 2027 normal elections draw nearer, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, the cerebral incumbent Deputy Governor of Lagos State and gubernatorial candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has taken a major step in direction of establishing such a relationship of accountability with the individuals of Lagos. He has emerged as the primary main gubernatorial contender throughout Nigeria to publicly current a concrete and actionable manifesto that he titles: “The Lagos Promise — Ìlérí Èkó.” The doc, which he unveiled on Friday, units out particular deliverables his administration intends to pursue when elected and inaugurated on May 29, 2027.
Hamzat’s agency grasp of the substance of the manifesto was evident even earlier than its formal public unveiling. In his persevering with engagements with stakeholders inside and outdoors Lagos State, he has demonstrated a transparent command of the coverage path and priorities that will form his administration. During a current go to to the President and Senior Chiefs of the Association of Lagos Titled Chiefs, previous the general public presentation of his manifesto, he demonstrated this grasp by extemporaneously outlining its seven pillars, 31 chapters, and 100 pledges.
In the presence of his hosts, together with enterprise tycoon Chief Kessington Adebutu and different distinguished leaders, Hamzat supplied an necessary clarification in regards to the nature of the pledges contained within the doc. He defined that 87 of the 100 pledges are commitments, whereas the remaining 13 are aspirations. This distinction, he maintained, was vital as a result of “government also has limits,” notably in view of the constitutional delineation of powers and duties among the many judiciary, the Federal Government, and state governments.
His clarification is important. It displays an understanding that accountable management will not be merely about making enticing guarantees to safe electoral assist; additionally it is about recognising the constitutional, institutional, and empirical boundaries inside which authorities should function. Indeed, the credibility of a political manifesto shouldn’t be measured by the sheer quantity of guarantees it comprises, however by the realism of its commitments, the readability of its implementation framework, and the capability of its authors to translate coverage intentions into measurable outcomes. This is the manifest distinction between Hamzat’s “The Lagos Promise — Ìlérí Èkó” and the hitherto verbose compilations that different politicians throughout the nation searching for elective positions name manifestos.
Yours sincerely believes that Hamzat’s institutional expertise provides above proposition appreciable weight. Having served in just about each administration that has ruled Lagos State, apart from one, he possesses an unusually deep understanding of the state’s governance structure, administrative equipment, and improvement priorities. His collected expertise is a major benefit in his acknowledged ambition to ship on the commitments contained in “The Lagos Promise — Ìlérí Èkó.” It gives him with an appreciation of what works, what requires reform, and, maybe extra importantly, what’s realistically achievable throughout the constitutional and operational confines of state governance.
His wealth of administrative expertise is additional complemented by his formidable political household pedigree, which gives a further basis for navigating the advanced political terrain of Lagos State.
The inimitable sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, will need to have had somebody of Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat’s stature in thoughts when he declared that, “Experience is a commodity that cannot be purchased in an open market; you must go through it.” Having traversed the demanding terrain of successive administrations and managerial governance for the reason that time President Bola Tinubu, GCFR, as Governor of Lagos State, persuaded him to go away a prestigious skilled engagement within the United States to serve his state, Hamzat has collected a wealth of expertise and a formidable public service document that locations him above different contenders within the 2027 Lagos governorship race. He’s actually the subsequent Lagos governor that’s ready to be topped and this shall ultimately come to cross, God keen.
Lagosians are certainly lucky to have a possible governor with such wealthy and enduring political and administrative credentials. More importantly, they’ve standing earlier than them a candidate with a transparent imaginative and prescient, a agency grasp of the state’s challenges, and a real dedication to bettering the lives of its individuals.
Despite widespread confidence in his competence, capability, and electoral prospects, Hamzat is leaving no stone unturned because the 2027 election approaches. His marketing campaign’s strategic management group, headed by noteworthy Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, a succesful and examined veteran of many political battles, as Director-General, with the persistently reliable and seasoned political strategist, Honourable Rasak Ajala as Deputy Director-General, is already working assiduously to safe a convincing victory. The group, alongside different devoted members of the marketing campaign construction, operates beneath the strategic steering of the revered Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC), led by our revered Baba Tajudeen Olusi.
The marketing campaign has set an bold goal of securing a victory margin of a minimum of three million votes for Hamzat and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR. Yet, reasonably than relaxation on his widespread goodwill and confidence, Hamzat stays relentless in his pursuit of this goal.
He is approaching the marketing campaign with the willpower and vitality of somebody ranging from floor zero, personally participating important stakeholders throughout the state. His consultations have prolonged to spiritual leaders in church buildings and mosques, social organisations, group influencers, political leaders, and even members of the opposition events. His message is constant: to current his programmes, talk his imaginative and prescient for Lagos, and safe the belief and assist of the citizens.
Equally central to his message is the significance of continuity in governance and the necessity for Lagosians to take part actively within the electoral course of by popping out en masse to vote for him and return President Tinubu to workplace. For Hamzat, the duty will not be merely about successful an election; it’s about sustaining the progress of Lagos whereas constructing on the foundations already laid.
Indeed, listening to Hamzat articulate his imaginative and prescient and mission for his beloved Lagos State leaves little doubt about his appreciation of the duties and alternatives earlier than him. His disposition aptly displays the timeless statement of Joel Barker when he mentioned: “Vision without action is merely a dream. Action without vision just passes the time. Vision with action can change the world.” Hamzat seems decided to translate this philosophy into sensible governance by combining a clearly outlined imaginative and prescient with purposeful and people-oriented motion. His aspiration is to construct a Lagos that works higher for everybody, notably law-abiding residents whose hopes and expectations he promised will stay on the centre of his authorities’s coverage agenda.
“The Lagos Promise — Ìlérí Èkó,” Hamzat’s publicly unveiled social contract with Lagosians, is his dedication that ought to resonate with inhabitants of the state throughout ethnic, spiritual, social, and financial divides. Young and previous, ladies and men, professionals, artisans, entrepreneurs, and peculiar residents all have a stake in his guarantees and commitments.
Hamzat understands the wants of the individuals and amongst his key priorities are improved street infrastructure, a simpler and sustainable environmental administration system, higher entry to high quality healthcare and training, a responsive and humane safety structure, an reasonably priced and practical housing system, redressing the development of present elusive transportable water for all, and creation of a enterprise atmosphere that encourages funding, innovation, enterprise, and job creation. These usually are not merely marketing campaign speaking factors; they’re important pillars upon which a extra affluent, inclusive, and habitable Lagos might be constructed beneath Hamzat’s management.
Ultimately, the credibility of any political imaginative and prescient lies in its implementation. Lagosians ought to due to this fact have interaction with “The Lagos Promise — Ìlérí Èkó,” study its commitments, and maintain its proponents accountable for delivering on them. Once once more, Hamzat’s expertise, administrative pedigree, and understanding of the state’s governance structure present a compelling foundation for believing that he has the capability to translate these aspirations into tangible outcomes.
Yours sincerely believes that Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat’s emergence as the subsequent Governor of Lagos State and Princess Damilola Sonayon-James as his deputy would mark one other vital chapter within the state’s exceptional evolution. With the proper mix of expertise, imaginative and prescient, strategic management, and purposeful execution, Lagos can transfer past being an empire of the thoughts to turning into a real future empire of Nigeria and Africa, to borrow, with due apologies, from the phrases of Winston Churchill. The alternative earlier than Lagos will not be merely to decide on one other governor; it’s to decide on the expertise, imaginative and prescient, and capability required to consolidate its achievements and boldly form its future.
Hamzat is clearly in the mean time the only option to translate Lagosians’ wishes into actuality. Other candidates in states throughout the nation must study one thing about ready management from his place to begin on Friday. With his clear sheet of paper containing his achievable guarantees, reimagining the way forward for Lagos is a foregone conclusion.
On this notice, I hereby relaxation my case for the week.
•Sanusi, former MD/CEO of Lagos State Signage and Advertisement Agency, is at present Managing Partner at AMS RELIABLE SOLICITORS. (WhatsApp solely: 07011117777).
