Samuel Ajose picks APC governorship forms for Lagos State, rejecting consensus move and insisting on primaries ahead of 2027 elections
Samuel Ajose has officially picked up nomination and expression of interest forms to contest the Lagos State governorship election under the All Progressives Congress, insisting that the party must conduct a primary election despite ongoing endorsement moves within the party hierarchy.
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Ajose, who hails from Badagry, made the declaration on Wednesday, describing his ambition as a personal commitment to inclusive governance and purposeful leadership for Lagos State.
The aspirant’s move comes amid internal party discussions and the reported endorsement of the Deputy Governor of Lagos State Obafemi Hamzat by the Governance Advisory Council, the APC’s highest advisory body in Lagos.
Ajose, however, rejected the consensus arrangement, arguing that it contradicts the party’s constitutional provisions.
He insisted that all aspirants must be allowed to test their popularity through a primary election.
“We understand what consensus means. Consensus says every aspirant must consent. Why is everybody scared of the primaries?” he said, calling for an open contest.
He further maintained that the primary election remains the most democratic way to determine the party’s candidate, expressing confidence that party members would ultimately decide the outcome.
Ajose also criticised claims of endorsement processes, describing them as exclusionary and not reflective of internal party democracy.
He insisted that no formal consensus meeting had involved all aspirants.
The Lagos APC leadership, through the Governance Advisory Council chaired by Tajudeen Olusi, had reportedly backed Hamzat’s emergence as consensus candidate, citing unity and stability within the party.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and other party stakeholders have also publicly expressed support for the deputy governor’s candidacy, further deepening internal dynamics ahead of the 2027 election cycle.
Ajose maintained that his campaign is rooted in grassroots engagement and a vision of development that reaches all communities across Lagos State.
“The masses are tired and they want something new,” he said, as he vowed to continue his campaign into the party primaries.
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The development highlights growing political tension within the Lagos APC as aspirants position themselves ahead of what is expected to be a competitive governorship race.
