Crisis is brewing within the Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as aspirant Samuel Ajose has refused to step down for the party’s preferred candidate, Obafemi Hamzat, despite pressure from the influential Governance Advisory Council (GAC).
Lagos Reporters earlier reported that former Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, and former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Olajide Adediran (Jandor), stepped down for Hamzat following the alleged endorsement of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
However, Ajose, an aspirant from the Badagry division, has rejected the development, insisting he will not withdraw from the race. He expressed doubt over the reported presidential endorsement, stating that he does not believe Tinubu has publicly backed Hamzat.
Ajose accused the GAC of attempting to coerce aspirants into stepping down for a preferred candidate, warning that such actions reflect the same internal issues that contributed to the APC’s struggles in Lagos during the last presidential election.
“I will not step down. Let the primaries hold,” Ajose said, maintaining his resolve to test his popularity at the polls.
Responding to the controversy, the Chairman of the GAC, Tajudeen Olusi, denied allegations of imposition. He maintained that the council is not forcing any aspirant to withdraw and assured that a transparent primary election would be conducted.
Olusi added that all aspirants would be given a fair opportunity to contest, emphasizing the party’s commitment to internal democracy.
The standoff highlights growing tension within the Lagos APC and raises concerns about unity within the party ahead of its primaries, with political observers warning that unresolved disputes could have wider implications.