Lagos students adopt Hamzat, others for 2027 polls

File: Lagos State Deputy Governor Kadri Obafemi Hamzat.

A student-led political group in Lagos State, the KOH 4 Lagos Students Movement, has adopted the incumbent Deputy Governor, Obafemi Hamzat, and other candidates for the forthcoming elections, pledging to mobilise students across tertiary institutions to support their candidates.

The group made its position known on Friday at a press conference held at the Yaba College of Technology, Lagos, where it unveiled its political alignment ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Speaking for the group in a press statement on Sunday, the Director-General of the movement, Adejoke Ajao, who is also the National Director of Finance, Logistics and Special Duties of the National Association of Nigerian Students, said the decision followed consultations across campuses and student communities in the state.

According to Ajao, the movement considered the candidates’ performance records, youth inclusion, legislative competence and executive vision before arriving at its decision.

“Students are not passive bystanders in the political engineering of our state and nation; we are energetic voters, active stakeholders, and the vanguard of progress,” she said.

Ajao said the movement was particularly backing Hamzat because of infrastructure development and technological governance.

“Our movement takes immense pride in championing our flagship candidate, Dr Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, for governor of Lagos State,” she said.

She described Hamzat as “the gold standard of modern public administration and technological governance,” citing his previous roles as Commissioner for Science and Technology and Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure.

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The movement DG said Hamzat, while serving as commissioner for science and technology, contributed to the digitalisation of state records, the development of information technology infrastructure and the introduction of technology-driven public services.

She also credited him with overseeing road networks, bridges and other infrastructure projects during his tenure as commissioner for works and infrastructure.

The movement said its endorsement would be followed by a grassroots mobilisation campaign across tertiary institutions, student hostels and youth centres in Lagos State.

Ajao said the group would encourage students and young people to collect their Permanent Voter Cards and participate actively in the elections.

She added that the movement would embark on door-to-door, hall-to-hall and digital outreach campaigns as part of efforts to mobilise students and increase voter turnout.

“The students of Lagos State have spoken clearly today. We stand for continuity, competence, legislative excellence, and student-centred governance,” she said.

The movement also urged students to participate in the electoral process and support the other candidates included in its political alignment.