Christians, Muslims and traditional worshippers on Tuesday converged on Lagos for an interfaith prayer session seeking peaceful conduct of the 2027 general elections and divine guidance for President Bola Tinubu and Lagos State Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat.
The prayer session, held at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan, Lagos Island, also marked the commencement of mobilisation by the All Progressives Congress (APC) for Tinubu’s re-election as President and Hamzat’s bid to succeed Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu as Lagos State governor.
The gathering attracted APC leaders, religious figures, traditional rulers, party supporters and other stakeholders, who called for unity, peaceful political engagement and an end to electoral violence.
Speaking at the event, Sanwo-Olu said the prayer was intended to provide a spiritual foundation for the party’s preparations for the 2027 elections.
The governor stressed that committing political activities to God was essential, just as individuals seek divine protection and direction before embarking on their daily activities.
He commended the religious leaders and organisers for bringing together representatives of different faiths, describing them as “fathers of faith.”
Sanwo-Olu also acknowledged the intensity of the religious session, joking about the fatigue he experienced during the recitation of 118 Hallelujahs.
He, however, said the party was now prepared to commence extensive political mobilisation across Lagos and the South-West.
According to him, while the APC places emphasis on prayer, it also recognises the importance of translating faith into action.
“Faith without work is dead,” the governor said, stressing that the party would not take any voter, community or stakeholder for granted.
Sanwo-Olu said the APC would take its campaign to every part of Lagos State and its 20 local government areas, as well as intensify mobilisation across the South-West.
He identified the party’s key objectives as securing Tinubu’s re-election, retaining all APC seats in the Senate and House of Representatives, and supporting Hamzat’s governorship bid alongside his running mate, Damilola James-Sonayon.
The governor also appealed for a violence-free electoral process, saying political competition should not threaten the peace and security of Lagos or the country.
He further pledged to participate in the national campaign for Tinubu to ensure that the party’s efforts were sustained across the country.
Hamzat, in his remarks, said the interfaith gathering provided an opportunity to commit the party’s candidates and the 2027 electoral process to God.
He prayed for elections devoid of violence, clashes, accidents and loss of lives, while expressing confidence in victory for the APC.
Hamzat also expressed optimism that the party would retain its three senatorial seats, 24 House of Representatives seats and 40 Lagos State House of Assembly seats.
Earlier, the Director-General of the Kadiri Obafemi Hamzat Campaign Council, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, said the prayer session was necessary because human efforts alone could not determine the outcome of every circumstance.
Obanikoro urged APC members to place the interest of the party above personal ambitions, warning that internal disagreements could undermine the party’s prospects in the elections.
He called for dialogue, reconciliation, discipline and unity among party members, urging candidates and supporters to conduct their campaigns with civility and focus on their capacity to serve the people.
Obanikoro said the campaign council would take the APC’s message to communities across Lagos State, its local government areas and the wider South-West.
He expressed confidence that the party would emerge victorious in the presidential, National Assembly and state elections, particularly projecting Hamzat’s emergence as Lagos governor and James-Sonayon as deputy governor.
Several APC leaders and political stakeholders attended the event, including Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa; former Speaker Adeyemi Ikuforiji; former Senator Musiliu Obanikoro; Senator Ganiu Solomon; former Deputy Governor Idiat Adebule; Minister of Finance Wale Edun; Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi; Fouad Oki; Iyiola Danmole; Pa Tajudeen Olusi; Jumoke Okoya-Thomas; members of the National and Lagos State Houses of Assembly, Conference 57, religious organisations, monarchs and traditionalists.
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