By Bose Adelaja & Adetomiwa Adewoyin
CITIZENS COMPASS — As political parties in Nigeria prepare for the 2027 elections, a political group, CFLgroup, on Tuesday, in Lagos, formally endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a second term in the 2027 general elections.
CFLgroup also threw its weight behind the Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, as the next governor of the State.
The Convener of the group, Lai Omotola, announced this at a press briefing in the State.
According to Omotola, the announcement followed what he described as “full consultation and discussion among his team.”
The announcement came barely as Nigeria marks 27 consecutive years of uninterrupted democracy since the return to civilian rule on May 29, 1999.
The Convener was of the opinion that the South-west part of Nigeria should produce the next president come 2027 to enable President Tinubu complete his eight years in office.
Omotola said the group’s decision was based on the principle of rotational presidency, arguing that power should remain in the South for a second term.
“The majority of the candidates believe that the presidency should stay in the South. There is only one candidate from the North. And if it is staying in the South, it is only wise to allow someone that has spent four years to complete his tenure,”
He referenced the tenure of former President Goodluck Jonathan, saying a similar transition “didn’t work.”
He acknowledged the economic and social challenges facing the administration but said the government had achieved notable stability.
He cited increased revenue allocations to the 36 state governments compared with the previous administrations and said Nigeria’s stock market was now “one of the most prosperous in the world.”
“Inspite of the challenges which the president himself has not shielded away from, we will understand that for the first time in a long time there is political stability,” he said.
He added that continuity was crucial and predicted higher voter turnout in the 2027 election.
Backs Hamzat for Lagos governorship
On the Governorship election in Lagos State, Omotola endorsed the Deputy Governor, Kadri Hamzat, to succeed Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, calling it an “organic transition” and the first time a deputy would take over from a sitting governor in the state.
“He is someone that has worked in government for years. As a result, we expect that when he becomes the governor, the chances are very high that he will do very well,” Omotola said.
He described Lagos as “Center of Excellence” and said it was significant that someone “from the grassroots in Lagos is about to hold the highest office.”
Omotola urged the prospective candidate to prepare for the state’s growing population and the challenges it brings, saying governance must reach all levels of society and not stop at the primaries.
Advice for opposition
Omotola also advised the opposition parties to support the winning team saying Nigerians must move beyond prayer and political rhetoric to focus on productive works.
“For Nigeria to work, Nigerians have to work. We are not just talking about work but productive work. The only way we can turn the country around is when the economy is working by being productive,” he said.
He added that the role of government was to create policies that enable productivity and that “the only way to beat poverty is by all being productive.”
The group said it would leave the assessment of Tinubu’s first three years to designated individuals and groups on May 29.
