The chairman of the Social Democratic Party in Lagos, Femi Olaniyi, emerged on Tuesday as the consensus governorship candidate of the party for the 2027 governorship election.

Mr Olaniyi, a former chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council in Lagos, emerged during the party’s gubernatorial primary election in Somolu, Lagos.

The election was monitored by officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission.

The chairman of the SDP governorship primary electoral committee for Lagos, Henry Amike, said Mr Olaniyi, aka Ferrari, was adopted by delegates and stakeholders of the party from the 20 local government areas of the state.

“Having fulfilled all constitutional and procedural requirements of the party and the Electoral Act, and following the consensus endorsement by stakeholders and delegates, I hereby officially declare Mr Femi Olaniyi Ferrari as the duly returned gubernatorial candidate of the SDP for the 2027 Lagos State governorship election,” he said.

Adegboyega Adeniji, chairman of the SDP governorship screening committee for the state, described the candidate as a man of integrity.

“He is a man of integrity, and with SDP, there is true hope of security, peace and prosperity for the state and Nigeria,” he said.

In his acceptance speech, Mr Olaniyi, also the chairman of the Forum of SDP State Chairmen in Nigeria and former South-West zonal secretary of the party, promised a safer and prosperous Lagos.

Mr Olaniyi said that his administration would prioritise security, infrastructure, job creation, education and healthcare if elected governor in 2027. According to him, the outcome of the primary election represents a collective victory for members of the SDP and Lagos residents seeking safer communities, improved public services and expanded economic opportunities.

“Today’s result is not my victory alone. It belongs to every member of the SDP and every Lagos resident who wants safer streets, better schools, cleaner neighbourhoods and real economic opportunities. It belongs to the market woman in Oshodi, the tech founders in Yaba, the students in UNILAG and the fisherman in Badagry. This is your mandate,” Mr Olaniyi explained.

Mr Olaniyi said that security and public order would receive urgent attention under his administration, adding that Lagos must function efficiently. He pledged investment in smart policing and technology to strengthen security across neighbourhoods in the state.

On infrastructure, the SDP candidate promised to expand rail and water transportation, rehabilitate roads and address flooding challenges affecting vulnerable communities.

Mr Olaniyi also promised policies aimed at boosting small businesses and creating a more enabling environment for technology and creative industries to thrive. According to him, his administration will support businesses to stimulate economic growth and employment opportunities for residents.

The governorship candidate further pledged to improve access to quality education and affordable healthcare across the state. He said public schools and primary healthcare centres in all the 20 local government areas would be upgraded to deliver better services to residents.

Mr Olaniyi described the primary election as the first step in the party’s journey toward the governorship election, urging Lagosians to support the SDP’s vision for inclusive governance.

(NAN)