Four candidates seeking to govern Lagos State took the stage at a televised debate to present competing visions on housing, infrastructure, healthcare, revenue, and accountability.
The debate was organised by TVC in partnership with Channels Television, Punch, Vanguard, and TheCable newspapers.
It featured Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Obafemi Hamzat of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Funso Doherty of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), and Deji Doherty of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Rhodes-Vivour Promises Cleaner, Safer Lagos
Rhodes-Vivour said his administration would pursue a cleaner and safer Lagos.
He argued that anyone seeking to lead the state must demonstrate a record of selflessness rather than personal interest.
“All of us are experiencing the damage that has come from bad governance that has been endemic in this state for the last 20 years,” he said.
“We want a cleaner Lagos. We want a safer Lagos. We want a more affordable Lagos, and we want a Lagos that works for everybody, not just the privileged few.”
He promised to deliver more than 4,000 housing units and connect rail lines across Lagos within two and a half years.
He also said his plans would address the housing deficit, the activities of street touts known as agberos, and flooding.
Hamzat, the APC candidate and current Deputy Governor, said effective governance requires a leader who understands the people and the state.
He said his upbringing was shaped by hard work and truth.
“The government is served better when it knows its people. What is important is who is ready to do the job. I know the people, the state and the job,” he said.
Hamzat also outlined plans to reduce waste sent to landfills through material recovery facilities and transfer loading stations.
He said Lagos generates enormous waste because of its population and limited land.
“What is happening right now is that we are converting from collection and dump to collection and material recovery,” he said.
Doherty: Lagos Operating Below Potential
Funso Doherty of the NDC said Lagos was operating below its potential despite its strong revenue base.
He argued that residents pay multiple levies without receiving commensurate public services.
He said Lagos generates more internally generated revenue than about 31 states combined but has failed to adequately address challenges affecting residents.
“We ask you to hold us to account,” he said.
Deji Doherty of the PDP said his experience as a technocrat and industrialist informed his decision to enter politics.
He promised improved access to electricity and greater economic opportunities.
He acknowledged the challenges of delivering large-scale housing projects.
“I can’t build 150,000 houses in Lagos. I don’t have control over the prices of materials and lands, but I’ll put a research team together,” he said.
He also raised concerns about gaps in primary healthcare provision, noting that some of the state’s islands lack primary healthcare facilities.
Waste Management and Accountability
Hamzat said the state was building transfer loading stations at Olusosun and Solous 3 in Alimosho, each with a capacity of 5,000 metric tonnes.
He said facilities planned for Erekiti and Agbowa would process waste into reusable materials.
“So the strategy is to convert, collect waste, transfer loading station, material recovery, and then so that what goes to the landfill is smaller than what it is today, significantly,” he said.
Asked whether Lagos was indeed smelling, Hamzat said he found it difficult to accept the description as a general characterisation of the state.
He admitted, however, that waste management remained a challenge that required continued attention.
