KEY POINTS

• Ajose rejects the APC’s consensus plan, insisting all aspirants must agree before adoption.
• He accuses Hamzat of avoiding primaries and calls for an open contest.
• GAC and Governor Sanwo-Olu have endorsed Hamzat, who is actively building support ahead of 2027.

A governorship aspirant of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Lagos State, Samuel Ajose, has criticised ongoing moves within the party to adopt a consensus candidate ahead of the 2027 election.

Speaking on a television programme, Ajose argued that a valid consensus can only emerge if all aspirants willingly agree. He insisted that no such agreement has been reached, making the current push illegitimate.

Ajose accused the Lagos State Deputy Governor, Obafemi Hamzat, of being reluctant to face party primaries.

According to him, any aspirant confident in their popularity and grassroots support should be willing to contest openly. He maintained that the party’s constitution supports a transparent primary process where candidates can test their strength.

Questions Endorsements and Tinubu’s Role

The aspirant also dismissed reports suggesting that President Bola Tinubu had endorsed Hamzat, describing such claims as misleading.

Ajose alleged that some party figures are attempting to pressure the President into backing a preferred candidate, labelling the move a “kangaroo endorsement” that excludes other contenders.

Meanwhile, the APC’s Governance Advisory Council (GAC), led by Tajudeen Olusi, has reportedly endorsed Hamzat as a consensus candidate, citing party unity.

Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has also thrown his support behind his deputy, describing him as capable and experienced.

Hamzat, who has served as deputy governor since 2019, has intensified consultations with key stakeholders, including Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, to strengthen his bid.