By Emmanuel Daniji

Lagos State Deputy Governor and All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, has called for increased voter participation in the state ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Hamzat made the call on Tuesday when members of the Committee of Wives of Lagos State Officials (COWLSO), led by Lagos State First Lady, Dr Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, visited his campaign office in Ikeja.

The APC candidate expressed concern over what he described as low voter participation in Lagos, noting that about 6.2 million residents were registered to vote in the last election, while only about 1.2 million eventually participated.

He urged Lagos residents to turn out in large numbers during the 2027 elections and specifically called on APC members to intensify grassroots mobilisation across the state.

Hamzat also asked party members to communicate what he described as the achievements of the President Bola Tinubu-led Federal Government and the Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu administration to voters.

According to him, the APC administration had made progress in areas including economic stability and the rule of law.

The visit by COWLSO members also provided an opportunity for the APC campaign team to emphasise the role of women and young people in electoral participation.

Lagos APC Chairman, Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi, said the visit demonstrated COWLSO members’ support for the party and its candidates.

He called for continued grassroots engagement and sensitisation ahead of the elections, while highlighting infrastructure, education and economic development as areas in which he said the APC government had recorded achievements.

The APC deputy governorship candidate, Princess Damilola Sonayon-James, also called for greater mobilisation of young people. She said women could play an important role in connecting political campaigns with communities and younger voters.

Speaking on behalf of COWLSO, the immediate past Vice-Chancellor of Lagos State University, Prof. Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, assured Hamzat of the group’s support and commitment to voter mobilisation.

She said the group would continue to encourage greater participation of women in the democratic process and strengthen engagement at the grassroots.

Director-General of the Lagos APC PBAT/KOH 2027 Campaign Council, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, said women remained important to grassroots mobilisation and community engagement.

He particularly pointed to the youth population between the ages of 18 and 35, saying their participation would be important to the party’s campaign strategy.

During the visit, COWLSO members displayed placards expressing support for APC candidates across Lagos.

The meeting comes as political parties and candidates intensify their mobilisation efforts ahead of the 2027 general elections.