Governorship hopeful insists primaries must hold, says no candidate can emerge without full agreement of all aspirants

A governorship aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State, Samuel Ajose, has kicked back against moves within the party to impose a consensus candidate ahead of the 2027 election, warning that such a decision cannot stand without the consent of all contenders.

Speaking during a television interview on Tuesday, Ajose reacted to reports suggesting that party leaders had settled for Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat as the preferred flagbearer. He argued that the principle of consensus only holds when every aspirant willingly agrees, stressing that no one should be compelled to step down.

Ajose questioned the push for a single candidate, describing it as a sign of reluctance to face open competition. According to him, any aspirant with genuine popularity and grassroots support should be prepared to test their strength in a transparent primary election.

He maintained that the APC constitution clearly provides for primaries as the legitimate pathway for selecting candidates, adding that such a process would allow party members to determine who truly commands support across the state.

The aspirant also pointed to growing dissatisfaction among Lagos residents, claiming many are eager for a shift in leadership. He expressed confidence that a credible primary would reflect the will of party members and the wider electorate.

Ajose further dismissed claims that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had endorsed the alleged consensus arrangement. Instead, he described the move as an attempt by certain party figures to pressure the President into backing a preferred candidate without due process.

He noted that no formal meeting involving all aspirants had been convened to discuss or agree on a consensus option, emphasizing that such a decision would require full participation and mutual agreement.

“We understand what consensus means—it requires every aspirant who purchased nomination forms to agree. If you have the popularity and structure, why avoid the primaries?” he said.

Ajose added that he believes the reported push for consensus would ultimately fail, insisting that party rules and democratic principles must prevail in determining the APC’s candidate for the Lagos governorship race.