By Emmanuel Daniji

Lagos State Deputy Governor and governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Obafemi Hamzat, and the Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, Femi Gbajabiamila, have urged residents of Surulere to support Tinubu and vote for APC candidates in the 2027 general elections.

The call was made on Saturday at the 2026 Gbaja Mega Empowerment programme held at the National Stadium in Surulere, Lagos.

Speaking at the event, Hamzat said the APC had built its political structure around grassroots engagement and programmes targeted at residents.

He urged beneficiaries of the empowerment programme and other residents to support APC candidates at the federal and state levels during the 2027 elections.

“We must thank Hon. Gbaja for this initiative. What we are doing here today is what our party understands: that our service as political leaders is to serve and empower our citizens,” Hamzat said.

“So how do we say thank you for this? It is by voting massively for the candidates of our party.”

Gbajabiamila, who represents Surulere in the political arena, also urged residents to support Tinubu for another term and vote for APC candidates across Lagos.

He said the empowerment programme was designed to provide direct assistance to residents and create opportunities for individuals and small businesses.

According to Gbajabiamila, about 5,000 residents benefited from the programme.

He said 4,018 beneficiaries received N250,000 each, while another 348 beneficiaries received N500,000 each as cash support.

The programme also included 61 electric vehicles, 50 electric tricycles, 60 minibuses, 100 laptops, four 18-seater Toyota Hiace buses, two security patrol vehicles and a medical ambulance.

Gbajabiamila said the beneficiaries were selected from wards and community groups across Surulere.

He urged those who received vehicles, equipment and other items to put them to productive use and avoid selling them.

The event was attended by other APC figures, including Senator Wasiu Esinlokun-Sanni, who represents Lagos Central Senatorial District, and Lagos APC chairman Cornelius Ojelabi, who was represented by Senator Musiliu Obanikoro.

The Executive Chairman of Surulere Local Government, Suliaman Bamidele Yusuf, also commended the initiative, describing the distribution of cash, vehicles, laptops and other items as an effort aimed at supporting residents and small businesses.

The appeals by Hamzat and Gbajabiamila come as political parties and aspirants intensify mobilisation ahead of the 2027 general elections.