Four candidates for governor of Nigeria’s Lagos State offered competing housing and transport plans at a debate Sunday, giving voters different responses to pressure on household budgets before the 2027 election.
Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat, the All Progressives Congress candidate, said a planned fleet of 4,000 compressed natural gas buses would aim to carry 1 million passengers a day, Channels Television, a debate organizer, reported. His manifesto, unveiled in October, proposes homeownership with a 10% down payment and single-digit mortgage interest.
Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour of the African Democratic Congress pledged to build more than 100,000 homes and make them accessible to residents, Channels Television reported. He said Lagos residents were not seeing the benefits of the state’s internally generated revenue.
Funso Doherty of the Nigeria Democratic Congress set a 150,000-home target at the debate, Punch reported. His campaign manifesto calls for at least 150,000 new homes for low- and middle-income households within four years. It also proposes larger buses on major routes and a transition for workers in the existing transport system.
Deji Doherty of the Peoples Democratic Party questioned whether the 150,000-home goal was feasible. He proposed assembling a research team to find ways to lower building costs, Punch reported. He also offered rebates on electricity bills, according to TVC News, which helped organize the debate.
Funso Doherty’s manifesto sets out free public education that includes books and examination fees, plus a daily meal for each state school pupil. It also proposes free maternal and child health care for pregnant women and children up to age 16.
The housing proposals span direct construction, mortgage access and efforts to lower building costs. Deji Doherty identified land and material costs as obstacles. Funso Doherty has alleged that vested interests in the existing bus system have impeded transport reform, Punch reported.
Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has scheduled the governorship election for Feb. 6, 2027.
