Lagos APC aspirant Samuel Ajose on Monday criticised the party’s move toward a consensus candidate after the endorsement of Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat, arguing that the process undermines the credibility of the primaries.
Speaking on Arise Television’s “The Morning Show,” Ajose said the decision to pursue a consensus arrangement is puzzling because the party had already sold nomination forms to multiple contenders. “I was the first aspirant to collect a form in Lagos State,” he noted, adding that many candidates have already invested significant sums in the process.
Ajose, who is contesting the Lagos governorship on the platform of representing neglected communities—particularly those in Badagry—contended that a consensus decision after the sale of forms defeats the purpose of a transparent primary. “If our leadership wanted a consensus, they should not have sold the forms,” he said. “A whole lot of people have invested money in these forms, and you just come and give us the shocker.”
The aspirant highlighted the concerns of Badagry residents, who feel excluded from Lagos’s political landscape after 57 years of perceived neglect. “Are we not part of Lagos? If we are not, someone should tell us where we belong,” Ajose asked.
While acknowledging that consensus is permitted under Nigeria’s constitution, Ajove stressed that the party must follow established mechanisms to avoid internal discord. “We don’t have any problem because consensus is part of the constitution of Nigeria. Our direct primary is also part of the constitution of Nigeria. If they want to get it done, there are processes,” he said. “There are mechanisms they need to put in place to get everybody together so that there won’t be rancor in the house.”
Ajose concluded that the contest should remain free and fair, emphasizing that the party’s current approach risks alienating candidates and supporters who have already complied with the nomination procedures.
The APC’s internal deliberations come ahead of the 2027 gubernatorial election in Lagos State, where the party seeks to retain control after Governor Babajide Sanwo‑Olu’s tenure. Observers note that the handling of the primary process will likely influence the party’s cohesion and its chances in the forthcoming election cycle.
