The Legacy LagRide Captains Support Group has begun mobilisation across Lagos for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election and Dr Obafemi Hamzat’s governorship bid.
The group announced the mobilisation during a solidarity motorcade involving hundreds of LagRide captains across Lagos on Thursday.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the motorcade passed through the Lagos State House of Assembly complex, State Secretariat, Alausa and APC secretariat.
Mrs Funmi Sesi, Chairperson of the group, said the captains were demonstrating solidarity and appreciation for the APC-led administrations at state and federal levels.
Sesi said the LagRide initiative had provided gainful employment and improved livelihoods, with about 2,000 captains currently benefiting from the programme.
She said the captains would mobilise residents across Lagos’ 20 Local Government Areas and 37 Local Council Development Areas ahead of the 2027 elections.
“The captains will mobilise residents through house-to-house and door-to-door engagements ahead of the 2027 elections.
“They will deploy their vehicles to mobilise supporters and transport people to campaign grounds whenever required,” Sesi said.
She said the mobilisation would promote continuity, unity and development while encouraging eligible citizens to participate actively in the electoral process.
Mr Steven Iwindoye, Coordinator of the group, expressed appreciation to Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu for introducing LagRide and creating livelihood opportunities for members.
Iwindoye said the initiative had enabled members to earn a living while participating meaningfully in Lagos’ transportation sector.
“Our support for President Tinubu is based on the belief in continuity and stability,” he said.
He described Hamzat as experienced and knowledgeable about Lagos governance, saying he was capable of sustaining the state’s development trajectory.
“That is why we throw our weight behind them,” Iwindoye said.
He urged members and supporters to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), verify their voter information and participate peacefully in the electoral process.
Speaking at the state secretariat, Mr Olawale Musa, Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Transportation, described LagRide as a government vision to improve mobility.
Musa commended the captains for demonstrating solidarity with the state and federal governments.
“I want to commend the captains of LagRide, having realised that there is a need for continuity,” he said.
He called for continuity through the election of Hamzat as governor and Tinubu for another presidential term.
“The success of people makes Lagos State successful, and we want to ensure that the people continue to be successful,” Musa said.
He said the captains had recognised the benefits of government programmes that provided safety, security and opportunities for residents.
Musa said the programme had also enabled participants to choose legitimate livelihoods instead of engaging in touting or becoming “area boys”.
Earlier, Mr Adeniyi Saliu, Executive Director of LagRide, urged captains and other citizens to participate actively in governance.
Saliu said citizens had the right to appreciate government programmes they considered beneficial, regardless of their occupations.
He said LagRide had provided livelihood opportunities for more than 3,000 people, compared with about 1,000 beneficiaries when the programme started.
“They subsidised the vehicle at a level that hasn’t been seen before,” Saliu said.
He stressed that governance was a collective responsibility because government policies affected everyone, including commercial drivers.
“Whatever policy government makes affects everybody. So, nothing should constrain anybody from being part of the process,” he said.
Saliu said he had advised the captains to obtain their PVCs before seeking political support from others.
He said the captains had subsequently obtained their PVCs and commenced sensitisation on government programmes and achievements.
“The first thing I told them was, go and get your PVCs, because when you want to tell people to support you, support the party.
“You need to also have done it yourself and be able to demonstrate that you are, in your own capacity, leading by example,” he said.
Saliu said the group was now focused on informing residents about government achievements at both state and federal levels.
“The state we are in now is to sensitise the general public, preach the gospel, let people know what this government has done,” he said.
He urged eligible voters to obtain their PVCs, verify their details and participate responsibly in the electoral process. (NAN)
