Hamzat scared of primaries, Tinubu not behind APC’s consensus plot, says Ajose

Samuel Ajose, a governorship aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State, has faulted efforts by chieftains of the party to settle for a consensus candidate ahead of the 2027 election, insisting that such a move cannot stand unless all aspirants agree to it.

Ajose made his position known during a television interview on Tuesday, where he reacted to reports that party leaders had settled for Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat as the preferred candidate.

Read also: Meet Obafemi Hamzat, Lagos deputy governor tipped as Sanwo-Olu’s possible successor

He explained that the idea of consensus requires full agreement from everyone contesting, noting that no aspirant should be forced into stepping down.

According to him, the push for a single candidate raises concerns about fear of open competition, adding that anyone with strong support should be ready to face party members during primaries.

Ajose maintained that the party’s rules provide for primary elections, where all contestants can test their popularity. He said the process would give members the chance to decide who truly has the backing of the grassroots.

Read also: PDP’s Adeoye opposes Hamzat’s backing, flags issues of performance, control

He also stated that many residents are no longer satisfied with how the state is being governed and are expecting a new direction. He expressed confidence that the outcome of a proper primary would reflect the will of party members across the state.

The aspirant dismissed claims that the choice of a consensus candidate had the backing of President Bola Tinubu. He argued that the move did not follow due process and described it as an attempt by some party figures to push a preferred candidate without wider agreement.

Ajose added that no official meeting involving all aspirants had been held to decide on consensus, stressing that such a decision would require full participation. He said that if consensus were to be considered, the president would normally call all aspirants together to reach a joint decision.

He said: “We understand what consensus means. Consensus says that every aspirant who has picked the party and nomination form must consent to it. We don’t know why Hamzat is scared of going into the primaries. 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. We are all going to meet in the primaries and let everybody come in to test their strength.

Read also: Sanwo-Olu backs deputy Hamzat for Lagos top job

“We will see the results in the next few weeks. The masses are tired of how Lagos is being run. The masses are tired of the leadership in Lagos, and they want something new. I don’t think our president, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is giving in to what they are doing. What they are just trying to do is to coerce him into taking a decision, and I don’t think that decision will stand.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-olu on Monday endorsed his deputy’s bid to succeed him in 2027; this is despite the APC state chairman, Cornelius Ojelabi’s, earlier pledge that the party would conduct a primary for the position. Sanwo-olu’s move has not gone down well with other aspirants who are insisting that the party keep to its promise.