Lagos APC Aspirant Samuel Ajose Rejects Hamzat Endorsement, Accuses Party Leaders Of Coercing President Tinubu

Samuel Ajose slams the reported endorsement of Obafemi Hamzat for Lagos Governor, calling it a move to coerce President Tinubu. Read about the push for APC primaries.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 29, 2026, 4:02 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Naija News

A Challenge To Consensus Politics

The battle for the 2027 Lagos State governorship has intensified within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) as Samuel Ajose, a prominent aspirant, publicly broke ranks with party leadership. Speaking during a television interview on Tuesday, Ajose condemned the reported move to install Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat as a consensus candidate. He argued that the term "consensus" is being misused, explaining that under the party’s constitution, such an arrangement requires the voluntary and unanimous consent of all individuals who have purchased nomination forms. Without this agreement, Ajose maintains that any attempt to bypass a primary election is legally and politically invalid.

Accusations Of Coercing The Presidency

A significant portion of Ajose’s critique was directed at the narrative that the endorsement carries the weight of President Bola Tinubu. The aspirant argued that certain power blocs within the Lagos APC are attempting to "coerce" the President into backing Hamzat to avoid an open contest. Ajose dismissed the notion that the President had already given his blessing, noting that if a genuine consensus were being sought, the President would have traditionally convened a meeting of all aspirants to reach a mutual understanding. He characterized the current push as an end-run around due process initiated by a select few.

Grassroots Dissatisfaction And The Fear Of Primaries

Ajose questioned why the Deputy Governor’s camp would seek a consensus rather than testing their strength in a direct primary. "If you are big, you have the popularity, the networks, and the grassroots support, then let’s go into the primaries," Ajose challenged. He suggested that the push for a pre-determined outcome stems from a fear of open competition and a growing disconnect with the Lagos electorate. According to the aspirant, many residents are dissatisfied with the current trajectory of the state and are eager for a leadership change that reflects the will of the party's rank-and-file members.