Hamzat Promises To Enforce Law Against Arbitrary Rent Increases

The Lagos State governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Obafemi Hamzat, has promised to enforce the state law preventing arbitrary rent increases and mandating landlords to collect only one year’s rent from tenants.

Hamzat, who is the incumbent Deputy Governor, said the government would ensure compliance with the Lagos State Real Estate Registration Agency Law, which prohibits the demand for multiple years’ rent in advance.

He made the pledge on Sunday during the Lagos governorship debate organised by the Nigeria Debate Consortium.

On housing, Hamzat said the state had created 24 housing estates in the last eight years but would expand access to quality accommodation by making more mortgage facilities available to residents.

He also promised that the APC government would complete ongoing housing projects across different parts of the state.

Addressing environmental challenges, the deputy governor described Lagos’s drainage network as “fantastic”, but stressed the need to keep it free of blockages to ensure the smooth flow of water into the creeks.

On transportation, Hamzat outlined plans to improve mobility through rail, road and waterways.

He said the state was targeting the movement of one million passengers daily with 4,000 compressed natural gas (CNG) buses.

He also highlighted plans to expand water transportation with 77 electric ferries, arguing that waterways offered significant potential for moving more commuters.

Hamzat further defended the state’s investment in rail transportation, arguing that private-sector funding alone had not delivered a rail system anywhere in Africa.

On healthcare, the APC candidate said the government was building more hospitals to expand access to medical services.

He also pledged to increase the number of the state’s flagship primary healthcare centres from 87 to 150, with the facilities providing round-the-clock medical services.