There is a critical lesson to learn from the political trajectory and current disposition of Dr. Kadiri Obafemi Hamzat, the Lagos State Deputy Governor and All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate for the 2027 election. It is a lesson in hard work, relationship-building and the understanding that no matter how strong your political advantage may be, you must never take anything and anyone for granted.
By Azuh Arinze
There is a critical lesson to learn from the political trajectory and current disposition of Dr. Kadiri Obafemi Hamzat, the Lagos State Deputy Governor and All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate for the 2027 election. It is a lesson in hard work, relationship-building and the understanding that no matter how strong your political advantage may be, you must never take anything and anyone for granted.
I was reminded of this lesson only a few days ago when I sighted Hamzat dancing at the birthday celebration of Prophet Ebuka Obi of Zion Prayer Movement Outreach and his twin brother. Watching the Lagos State Deputy Governor, who is now his party’s governorship candidate, on the altar was an interesting sight – especially because Hamzat is not a fantastic dancer. But beyond the dancing, what struck me was the bigger picture: here is a man who, despite occupying a seemingly enviable political position, continues to work assiduously, engage stakeholders and reach out to people across different divides. And that, to me, is a lesson worth examining.
In a political environment where the possession of a party’s governorship ticket can easily make its beneficiary complacent, Hamzat appears to understand that political advantage is not an excuse to relax. If anything, it is a reason to work harder.
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Consider also the circumstances. In Lagos, the APC has enjoyed a formidable political structure for decades. The party, in fact, has an established grassroots network, influential political leaders and a strong electoral presence. Its candidates also benefit from the political machinery that has sustained its dominance of the state since 1999.
And with the APC ticket firmly secured, Hamzat is widely regarded as being in a strong position to succeed Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu when the latter’s tenure ends in 2027. Of course, elections must still be contested, votes must be counted, and the electorate must ultimately have its say. But there is no denying that being the APC’s flag bearer in Lagos comes with significant political advantages.
Ordinarily, one might expect a candidate in such a position to slow down, bask in the euphoria of his party’s endorsement and allow the political machinery to do much of the work. Hamzat, however, appears to be taking a different route.
Rather than behave like someone who believes the race has already been won, he has continued to engage political stakeholders, cultivate relationships and reach out to people whose support and goodwill matter in the journey ahead. His engagements have extended across religious lines, including Christian and Muslim communities.
This is particularly instructive in a state as diverse and cosmopolitan as Lagos, where political leadership requires an appreciation of different cultures, faith, interests and social realities.
By engaging religious leaders such as the Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, Dr. Alfred Adewale Martins, Bishop David Oyedepo of Winners Chapel, Pastor Sam Adeyemi of Daystar and other stakeholders, Hamzat is demonstrating the importance of relationship-building beyond the immediate demands of an election. Such engagements create opportunities to listen, exchange ideas, understand people’s concerns and strengthen the bonds between a prospective leader and the communities he hopes to serve.
And that is where the critical lesson lies. Never allow an advantage to become an excuse for complacency. In politics, as in business, journalism, public service and virtually every other human endeavour, people sometimes mistake a favourable position for a guaranteed outcome. They assume that because they have the resources, connections, experience or institutional backing, success is already assured.
But history has repeatedly shown that advantages can be squandered when the people who possess them become overconfident.
The wise ones, thank God, do the opposite. They work even harder when the odds appear to favour them. They maintain contact with the people who matter. They remain visible, accessible and engaged. They do not wait until a crisis emerges before remembering the importance of relationships.
That is the approach Hamzat’s current political disposition appears to underscore. Indeed, there is something particularly striking about the fact that he seems to be putting in considerable effort even when compared with politicians who do not enjoy the same level of institutional backing or electoral leverage. Some of those still struggling to secure political relevance might be expected to work tirelessly to attract attention and support. Yet here is a man who already possesses a significant advantage, seemingly refusing to let that advantage diminish his appetite for hard work.
It is a refreshing reminder that serious-minded people do not necessarily measure their effort by how much they already possess. Sometimes, the greater the opportunity, the greater the responsibility to prepare for it.
KOH’s political journey also offers useful context.
Hamzat is not a political newcomer who suddenly emerged from nowhere. An engineer by training, he built a career in the public and private sectors before becoming involved in Lagos politics. He served as Commissioner for Science and Technology and later Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure under Governor Babatunde Fashola. He subsequently served as Deputy Governor under Sanwo-Olu, having been elected alongside him in 2019 and re-elected in 2023.
These experiences have placed him within the workings of Lagos State’s government for years, exposing him to policy formulation, public administration, infrastructure development and the complexities of governing a megacity.
His emergence as the APC’s governorship candidate is therefore another chapter in a political trajectory shaped by technical expertise, public service, party loyalty and sustained participation in the Lagos political establishment.
This is why his continued engagement with stakeholders is worth watching. It suggests an appreciation of the fact that leadership is not merely about occupying an office or securing a party nomination. It is also about maintaining relationships, understanding the people and recognising that governance ultimately involves human beings with different needs and expectations.
Back to his dancing at Evangelist Ebuka Obi’s birthday. Some may dismiss it as just another social appearance by a politician. Others may see it as part of the familiar rituals of political networking. Both interpretations are possible. But I saw something more instructive in the picture: a politician who, despite the enormous advantage his party’s ticket confers on him, is still out there, engaging people, participating in their celebrations and making himself visible across the centre of excellence.
There is also a lesson here for young politicians and aspiring leaders. Do not confuse proximity to power with the possession of power. Do not assume that having the backing of influential people means you no longer need to cultivate relationships with ordinary citizens. And do not allow early success to rob you of the discipline that helped you get there.
Keep showing up. Keep working. Keep listening. Keep building bridges. Never become so confident of tomorrow that you neglect the responsibilities of today. And never assume that because the road appears clear, you no longer need to keep moving. That is the critical lesson from Kadiri Obafemi Hamzat – and people like yours sincerely are also learning.
– Azuh Arinze, FNGE, is the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of YES INTERNATIONAL! Magazine and author of important books like The CEO’s Bible 1&2, Anything and Everything Journalism, Success is not served à la carte, My Story of Many Colours, etc
