Christians, Muslims and traditional worshippers gathered in Lagos on Tuesday to pray for peaceful conduct of the 2027 general elections, as Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, his deputy, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, and other All Progressives Congress, APC, leaders urged residents to shun violence before, during and after the polls.
The interdenominational prayer session, held at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan, Lagos Island, was organised to seek divine direction, commit the electoral process to God and commence mobilisation for the re-election of President Bola Tinubu and the election of Hamzat as Lagos governor
The gathering brought together party chieftains, religious leaders, monarchs, traditionalists and supporters, with the leaders stressing the importance of faith, unity and peaceful political engagement
Speaking at the event, Sanwo-Olu stressed the need to place a spiritual foundation ahead of political strategy
He noted that just as individuals pray before embarking on a daily journey, committing political exercises to God remains an indispensable precept of faith
The governor expressed appreciation to the religious leaders, whom he referred to as “fathers of faith”, and the organisers for bringing together a large turnout
Sanwo-Olu also shared a lighthearted moment about participating in the intense devotion, recounting how his arms felt weary during the recitation of 118 Hallelujahs
However, he stressed that having fulfilled these religious obligations, the party now moves forward with the confidence and “full chest” required to engage voters actively across every administrative level
Outlining the party’s electoral vision, Sanwo-Olu declared that while the APC relies heavily on prayer, members are acutely aware that “faith without work is dead”
He stressed that the administration takes no stakeholder, voter or community for granted
Consequently, the party plans an aggressive campaign strategy, promising to visit every nook and cranny of Lagos State, its local government areas and extend outreach throughout the South-West region to ensure comprehensive victory
Sanwo-Olu outlined the party’s major targets as securing victory for Tinubu, retaining all APC senatorial and House of Representatives seats, and mobilising full support for Hamzat as the governorship candidate on a joint ticket with Damilola James-Sonayon
He also advocated a violence-free and peaceful electoral exercise, pledging his personal availability to join the national presidential campaign train to ensure national efforts are vigorously sustained
Reaffirming that Lagos State and Nigeria are grounded in faith, the governor prayed for a more united, virile nation
Speaking at the prayer, Hamzat said the gathering was an opportunity for the party to commit its candidates and the electoral process to God
He prayed for peaceful elections without clashes, accidents or loss of lives, while expressing confidence that God would grant the party victory
Hamzat also expressed confidence in the success of APC candidates contesting the three senatorial seats, 24 House of Representatives seats and 40 Lagos State House of Assembly seats
Earlier, addressing the crowd of supporters, Director-General of the Kadiri Obafemi Hamzat, KOH, Campaign Council, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, said the prayer was necessary because human efforts alone could not determine the outcome of every circumstance
Obanikoro urged party members to put the APC above personal ambitions, warning that internal disagreements must not be allowed to weaken the party ahead of the elections
He called for dialogue, reconciliation, discipline and unity among candidates and supporters, urging them to campaign with respect and focus on their capacity to serve
Obanikoro said the campaign organisation would take the APC message to every nook and cranny of Lagos State, its local governments and the wider South-West
He expressed confidence in victory for the APC at the presidential, National Assembly and state elections, particularly projecting the emergence of Hamzat as Lagos State governor and Damilola Sonayon James as deputy governor
Prominent personalities at the event included Iyiola Danmole, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, Speaker Mudashiru Obasa, former Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly Adeyemi Ikuforiji, Pa Tajudeen Olusi, Senator Ganiu Solomon, Jumoke Okoya-Thomaa, Idiat Adebule, Wale Edun, Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi, Fouad Oki, members of the National Assembly and Lagos State House of Assembly, members of Conference 57, religious bodies, monarchs and traditionalists