The Lagos State Baale’s Forum has officially declared support for the re-election bid of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the governorship ambition of Kadiri Obafemi Hamzat, citing the achievements of the current administration under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
The endorsement was announced during the inaugural meeting of the forum held in GRA, Ikeja, where traditional rulers, community leaders, and political stakeholders gathered to discuss national development and leadership ahead of the next general elections.
Speaking at the event, Chairman of the Lagos State Council of Baales and Oba-elect of Ijedodo Kingdom, Chief Abu Jeleel Ododo, praised the Tinubu administration for implementing what he described as bold economic and institutional reforms aimed at repositioning Nigeria’s economy.
According to Ododo, the removal of petrol subsidy and the unification of the foreign exchange market have significantly increased government revenue while reducing the country’s debt service burden. He added that previous administrations lacked the political will to undertake such reforms.
The traditional ruler also highlighted key initiatives of the Federal Government, including the Student Loan Act, which provides interest-free loans for indigent students, the National Consumer Credit Scheme, and the Renewed Hope Infrastructure Development Fund.
He further commended ongoing infrastructure projects such as the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and the Eastern Rail Project, describing them as strategic investments capable of boosting transportation, commerce, and economic growth nationwide.
Ododo equally lauded the Federal Government’s support for local government autonomy and the introduction of the Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) initiative aimed at providing cheaper and cleaner transportation alternatives for Nigerians.
He said the forum’s endorsement of President Tinubu for a second term and support for Dr. Hamzat’s governorship aspiration were based on the administration’s developmental strides and leadership direction.
Also speaking, Secretary of the forum and Baale of Amuwo, AbdulHakeem Adedoyin Rabiu, said members carefully assessed the competence, leadership qualities, and political antecedents of both leaders before arriving at their decision.
Rabiu expressed confidence in their ability to sustain progressive governance and pledged that members of the forum would mobilize grassroots support across communities ahead of the elections.
In his remarks, National Apex Leader of Youths in the All Progressives Congress, Prince Adetokunbo Ademola, commended the Baales for supporting what he described as progressive policies targeted at national development.
He urged traditional rulers to remain united and continue sensitizing their communities on the vision and programmes of the present administration while promoting peace, civic responsibility, and orderliness.
Ademola also described the ongoing party primaries as healthy for democracy and appealed to Nigerians to remain patient with the current administration, expressing optimism that the nation’s economic challenges would gradually improve through sustained reforms.
Meanwhile, Convener of the Baale’s Forum, Dr. Oluwaseyi Bamigbade, said the inaugural gathering was designed to strengthen collaboration among traditional leaders and encourage grassroots participation in governance.
According to him, the forum will continue to serve as a platform for community engagement, leadership development, and support for policies that promote peace, stability, and socio-economic growth in Lagos State and across Nigeria.
