Hon. Azeez Oladapo Yusuf, popularly known as Ninolowo, has congratulated Nigerians on the country’s 66th Independence Anniversary, urging citizens to remain hopeful, patient and committed to national development.

In his Independence Day message, the Agege politician said Nigeria had demonstrated resilience over the decades despite the challenges confronting the country, urging citizens not to lose faith in its future.

“There is light at the end of the tunnel,” Ninolowo said, while calling for calm and constructive support as the country continues to navigate its economic and developmental challenges.

His message came as Nigeria marked its 66th Independence Anniversary under the theme, “From Reforms to Stability: Consolidating Nigeria’s Renewed Hope for Shared Prosperity.”

The Federal Government said the theme reflects its focus on consolidating economic reforms and translating the gains of stabilisation into jobs, higher incomes, wider opportunities and improved living conditions for Nigerians.

Ninolowo commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for what he described as efforts under the Renewed Hope Agenda and urged Nigerians to support the administration’s reform programme.

He acknowledged the hardship experienced by many Nigerians but said the current difficulties should not extinguish hope in the country’s ability to achieve sustainable development.

The politician also commended Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, describing his administration as part of the state’s continuing development trajectory.

He said, in his view, continuity in Lagos would provide an opportunity to consolidate existing programmes while opening another chapter in the state’s development.

Ninolowo specifically expressed support for Deputy Governor Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, the APC candidate for the 2027 Lagos governorship election. Hamzat emerged as the party’s candidate after winning its governorship primary in May and had earlier been adopted as the Lagos APC’s consensus candidate by the Governance Advisory Council. President Tinubu subsequently endorsed his candidacy.

Ninolowo’s position comes against the backdrop of his own political move ahead of the 2027 elections. He left the APC and secured the APM ticket to contest the Agege Constituency II seat in the Lagos State House of Assembly election. The APC subsequently expelled him and former Agege Local Government chairman Ganiyu Kola Egunjobi over their decision to contest under another party after participating in the APC nomination process.
Turning to Agege Constituency II, Ninolowo thanked residents and supporters for what he described as their continued confidence in his political aspiration.

He urged his supporters to remain calm and steadfast, expressing confidence that he would represent the constituency in the Lagos State House of Assembly in 2027.

“As time goes on, I will let you know how we are going to achieve it, but be rest assured, I will be the one to represent you,” he said.

Ninolowo said his ambition was not simply about occupying political office but responding to what he described as a responsibility to serve the people.

He acknowledged the roles played by political and community leaders, including Lagos State House of Assembly Speaker Mudashiru Obasa, other Agege leaders and religious figures, in the conversations surrounding his political journey.

However, he said his primary motivation remained his desire to respond to what he described as a call from the people.

“This is a call to serve my people. Heaven won’t forgive me if I don’t respond to them because it is their call,” he said.

He further urged his supporters to return to the grassroots and engage directly with residents.

“Let’s go to the field. If I fail, they will know that I tried my best rather than turning them down,” Ninolowo stated.

His comments indicate that grassroots mobilisation and direct engagement with constituents will form a major part of his campaign ahead of the 2027 Agege Constituency II election.

Ninolowo concluded by praying for peace, progress and prosperity across Agege, Lagos West, Lagos State, the South-West and Nigeria.

He urged Nigerians to remain hopeful and committed to building a stronger country, saying the nation could emerge from its present difficulties with greater unity and collective effort.

Nigeria attained independence from Britain on October 1, 1960, making the 2026 celebration the country’s 66th Independence Anniversary. The Federal Government declared October 1 a public holiday and used the occasion to emphasise unity, patriotism and the need to translate economic reforms into broader prosperity.