“Hamzat Is Scared of Primaries” — Lagos APC Aspirant Rejects Consensus Plan

“Hamzat Is Scared of Primaries” — Lagos APC Aspirant Rejects Consensus Plan 

Tension is rising within the Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 governorship election, as aspirant Samuel Ajose has openly rejected moves to adopt a consensus candidate, insisting the party must conduct a full primary election.

Ajose accused Lagos State Deputy Governor, Obafemi Hamzat, of avoiding an open contest by backing consensus arrangements instead of allowing party members to decide through primaries.

He made the remarks during an appearance on Politics Today on Tuesday, where he strongly criticised what he described as attempts to sideline other aspirants in the race.

Ajose argued that the idea of consensus is being misapplied within the party, stressing that true consensus requires the agreement of all aspirants who have already purchased nomination forms.

“We understand what consensus means. Consensus says that every aspirant who has picked the party nomination form must consent to it. We don’t know why Hamzat is scared of going into the primaries,” he said.

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He maintained that any credible aspirant should be willing to face delegates in a competitive primary, insisting that internal democracy remains the foundation of the APC’s strength in Lagos.

“If you are big, you have the popularity, the networks and the grassroots support, then let’s go into the primaries. Why is everybody scared of the primaries? Everybody must go into the primaries; that is what the constitution says,” he added.

Ajose also criticised reported endorsements allegedly backing Hamzat’s emergence as a consensus candidate. He described the move by the Governance Advisory Council (GAC) and Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu as a “kangaroo endorsement,” arguing that it excluded other aspirants and lacked transparency.

He claimed that no inclusive meeting was held involving all governorship aspirants before the reported endorsement, insisting that the process undermines internal democracy within the party.

Beyond party politics, Ajose suggested that public dissatisfaction with governance in Lagos could influence the outcome of the 2027 election, arguing that voters are increasingly demanding change.

The controversy follows reports that the Governance Advisory Council, widely regarded as the highest decision-making body of the Lagos APC, had endorsed Hamzat as the party’s preferred consensus candidate during a meeting at Lagos House, Marina.

The reported decision has continued to generate debate within the party, with some stakeholders backing consensus to avoid internal division, while others insist that a primary election remains the most democratic option.

As preparations for 2027 intensify, the Lagos APC is expected to take a final position on whether it will proceed with a consensus arrangement or open its governorship ticket to a full contest among all aspirants.

“Hamzat Is Scared of Primaries” — Lagos APC Aspirant Rejects Consensus Plan