The candidate for governor in the Lagos State Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Prince Adelaja Adeoye, on Sunday unveiled a bold political and governance reform agenda for the state, saying it “needs a total reset” following more than 20 years of All Progressives Congress (APC) rule.
Charging the state with the responsibility of improving local governance, Adeoye announced his policy plan on Lagos ahead of the upcoming governorship election in 2027, noting that the existing 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) will be elevated to full-fledged Local Government Areas (LGAs) in the state with an increased council population from 20 to 57.
The APM governorship hopeful added that the plan is part of a larger plan of governance and economic reform outlined in his manifesto, “Àtunto Èkó 1.0 – Re-Engineering Lagos for Inclusive Prosperity”, he said is a complete “Reset Lagos Agenda 2027”
The state was facing a lot of challenges despite the tremendous economic potential of the city and the current governance structure had not been able to cope with the issues, Adeoye said during a media briefing in Lagos.
He condemned the ruling APC for failing to address the years of infrastructural decay, growing insecurity, housing problems, lack of employment opportunities and poor public confidence in government.
He said that Lagosians should have better infrastructure, education, empowerment and social amenities than they have at present.
Adeoye said as part of his proposed political restructuring, he would be breaking up the powerful Lagos State Governors Advisory Council (GAC) and creating a more comprehensive Lagos State Elders and Advisory Council, which would include traditional rulers, religious leaders, market leaders, business men and past public office holders.
According to him, the shift would broaden the base of participation in governance and eliminate the culture of political impositions in Lagos politics.
He pointed out that “the system in place isn’t working” and questioned the “longstanding control of some political interests over the affairs of the state.”
In addition to political changes, the APM candidate implemented far-reaching policies in several areas such as power, infrastructure, healthcare, education, housing and security.
He announced that his government will support independent power projects and renewable power schemes to ensure the state’s electricity supply security.
Adeoye also committed to address flooding and water scarcity issues by implementing better urban planning, flood control works and potable water schemes; and to advance significant infrastructure schemes including the proposed Fourth Mainland Bridge.
In his response to housing and urban development, the governorship hopeful said his administration will do everything to ensure affordable housing and planning for the city to adapt to its fast-growing population, especially in the context of climate change.
He also pledged reforms in the education sector, with emphasis on science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) and technical education and skills development to enhance employability of the youth and innovation.
He also vowed to boost the health sector and increase investments in the technology, agriculture, creative tourism and blue economy sectors, as part of an effort to re-position the city’s economy.
Adeoye also pledged to assist SMEs and “formalise” informal sectors in the state to promote economic inclusion and improve its internal revenue generation.
On security, he called for the adoption of a state/community policing arrangement which involves empowering the youths and women through technology-driven surveillance systems to enhance the operation of the Amotekun.
The APM candidate, on his part, estimated that Lagos can receive up to $100bn of Foreign Direct Investment in a few years, provided it is managed well by the transparent and investor-friendly administration.
He said that the key to implementing the proposed reforms would be public-private partnerships and what he termed an “Alternative Project Funding Approach” with clear accountability and timelines.
Adeoye also urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the judiciary and security agencies to be neutral before and during the 2027 elections, and cautioned them against any factors that might affect public confidence in the elections.
The appearance of alternative political voices before the Lagos governorship election has shown the escalating struggle by opposition parties to take over the control of the commercial capital of Nigeria from the All Progressives Congress, political observers say.
The question of whether Adeoye’s “Reset Lagos” agenda can muster political momentum to challenge the entrenched APC structure will be just one of the many big questions to be answered before the 2027 governorship poll.
