By Kushimo Damilola
Youths and students in Lagos State have declared their support for the governorship ambition of Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, as well as the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 general elections.
The declaration was made on Saturday during the official launch of Kadri Obafemi Hamzat Youth Ambassadors, KOHYA, held at the Sam Shonibare Youth Centre, Surulere, Lagos.
Describing the movement as a grassroots civic and political advocacy platform, one of the conveners, Engr. Adigun Ibrahim, said KOHYA was founded by young people in Lagos who believe that good governance is a product of deliberate choices, sustained civic engagement, and the willingness of a generation to support leadership considered worthy of public trust.
According to him, the group is not a political party, faction, or an opportunistic coalition, but a structured movement built on civic principles, documented evidence, and the conviction that Lagos State requires tested and competent leadership in 2027.
Adigun announced that the movement already has functional structures across the 20 Local Government Areas and 37 Local Council Development Areas of the state, all positioned to work for the electoral success of Hamzat and President Tinubu in the coming elections.
Speaking further on the operational strength of the group, Adigun, who also doubles as Lagos State Chairman of the National Youth Council of Nigeria, NYCN, disclosed that the movement has 377 Ward Coordinators deployed across all wards in the state, 57 Local Government Coordinators, a 57-member professional media team, six senatorial district representatives, three operational marshals, 11 campus coordinators, as well as a two-member general leadership and secretariat team at the apex.
“This is not improvised. This is architecture. And today, you are witnessing its formal commissioning,” he stated.
Corroborating his remarks, the Co-convener, Dr. Jamiu Ademosu, said Hamzat’s impressive record in public service and his vast executive experience make him deserving of the endorsement.
He said after what he described as a rigorous assessment of governance performance, technical competence, institutional loyalty, and personal character of individuals linked to the 2027 Lagos governorship race, the group unanimously resolved to adopt Hamzat as its preferred candidate.
“We declare our full, unqualified, and enthusiastic endorsement of Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, FNSE, PhD, as our preferred and supported candidate for the Office of Governor of Lagos State in the 2027 general elections,” he said.
Also speaking, Speaker of the Lagos State Youth Parliament, Rt. Hon. Itunu Shoniregun, alongside the Lagos State Chairman of the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, Quadri Odewunmi, both members of the movement’s marshals, declared the alignment of their respective youth and student structures with the aspiration of Hamzat and Tinubu.
Representing the Deputy Governor at the event, Hon. Femi Otunla commended the support group for mobilising Lagos youths to key into the aspiration of Dr. Hamzat.
He stressed that Hamzat, as a long-standing youth advocate, would continue to maintain an open-door policy and remain committed to youth development across the state.
The event also featured the launch of the group’s official website designed to accommodate more youth volunteers, while Adigun added that the movement has intensified efforts to ensure that more young people obtain their Permanent Voter Cards, PVCs, ahead of the elections.
In addition to the unveiling of the secretariat team, senatorial leaders, local government and ward coordinators, the event also featured a presentation by Professor Oyenuga Adedeji, who shared insights on the democratic expectations of young people in Lagos State as discussions on the state’s next leadership continue to gather momentum.