Four candidates contesting the 2027 Lagos State governorship election have outlined competing plans to tackle flooding, traffic congestion, housing and education at a public debate in Lagos.
The candidates, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Obafemi Hamzat of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Funso Doherty of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) and Deji Doherty of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), presented their positions on Sunday at a debate organised by the Nigeria Debate Consortium.
The discussions featured criticism of the APC-led government’s record, alongside Hamzat’s defence of existing policies and proposals to expand infrastructure and social services.
Flooding: Candidates Differ on Environmental Solutions
Rhodes-Vivour blamed what he described as decades of bad governance for some of Lagos’s environmental challenges, promising a technology-driven approach to environmental management if elected.
He said his administration would prioritise residents’ safety, improve environmental conditions and make Lagos more affordable.
“We want a cleaner Lagos. We want a safer Lagos. We want a more affordable Lagos, and we want a Lagos that works for everybody, not just the privileged few,” he said.
Hamzat defended the state’s drainage infrastructure, describing its network as “fantastic”.
The APC candidate said the government would focus on keeping drainage channels clear to ensure water flows freely into the creeks.
Traffic: Hamzat Unveils Transportation Plans
On transportation, Hamzat outlined plans to improve mobility through road, rail and water infrastructure.
He said Lagos was targeting the movement of one million passengers daily through 4,000 compressed natural gas (CNG) buses.
The deputy governor also announced plans to expand water transportation with 77 electric ferries, saying the state’s waterways could help move more commuters.
Hamzat defended the government’s investment in rail infrastructure, while Rhodes-Vivour argued that traffic congestion should not become a normal part of life in Lagos.
Housing: Rhodes-Vivour Promises 100,000 Homes
Housing was another major issue at the debate, with Rhodes-Vivour promising to provide more than 100,000 housing units if elected.
He accused successive APC administrations of prioritising the interests of the elite over residents, particularly those in rural communities.
The ADC candidate also questioned the benefits of Lagos’s high internally generated revenue (IGR), arguing that many residents were not experiencing improvements in their living conditions.
“Lagos celebrates high IGR, yet people are not experiencing it,” he said.
Hamzat said the state had created 24 housing estates in the past eight years but acknowledged the need to improve access to quality accommodation.
He promised to expand mortgage facilities and complete ongoing housing projects across the state.
The APC candidate also pledged to enforce the Lagos State Real Estate Registration Agency Law, which requires landlords to collect no more than one year’s rent at a time.
He said enforcement would help address arbitrary rent demands and improve access to accommodation.
Education: Funso Doherty Promises Truly Free Schooling
Funso Doherty pledged to make education completely free in Lagos if elected in 2027.
The NDC candidate said his administration would focus on education and skills development, insisting that no child should be denied schooling because their parents could not afford the costs.
He said free education should extend beyond tuition fees to cover examination-related expenses.
“We have said we will make education truly free, not nominally free,” Doherty said.
He added that students should not be required to pay examination fees when they are due to sit their examinations.
The debate highlighted differing approaches to Lagos’s development, with candidates presenting proposals on infrastructure, environmental management, housing affordability and access to education ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
