In a move that has fundamentally altered the landscape of the 2027 Lagos State gubernatorial race, frontline aspirant under the All Progressives Congress (APC), Hon. Samuel Ajose, has officially withdrawn his ambition, throwing his weight behind the current Deputy Governor, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat.
The sudden realignment, announced during an extraordinary stakeholders’ meeting at the party’s state secretariat on ACME Road, Ikeja, brings to an end months of intense speculation regarding a fracture within the establishment fold. Ajose, a grassroots mobilizer with deep-rooted structures across the Lagos West Senatorial District, stated that his decision was guided by “party supremacy, strategic cohesion, and an unwavering commitment to the continuity of the progressive blueprint in Lagos.”
The Surrender of Ambition
Addressing a packed hall of party leaders, local government chairmen, and emotional supporters, Ajose explained that leadership often requires the sacrifice of personal ambition for the collective good of the commonwealth.
“In politics, especially within the progressive family founded by our leader, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the collective interest must always supersede the individual’s desire,” Ajose declared. “After extensive consultations with our state apex leaders, the Governance Advisory Council (GAC), and my immediate political family, I am stepping down from the gubernatorial race today. I am not just stepping down; I am fully aligning my structure with that of our leader and brother, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, to ensure a seamless transition and victory for our party.”
The declaration was met with a mixture of stunned silence and thunderous applause from party insiders who had anticipated a bruising, drawn-out primary contest between the two heavyweights.
The Hamzat Ascendancy
With Ajose stepping out of the frame, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat’s path to securing the APC gubernatorial ticket becomes significantly clearer. As a two-term Deputy Governor who has served alongside Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Hamzat is widely regarded as the institutional memory of the current administration.
Accepting the endorsement, a visibly moved Hamzat commended Ajose for his maturity, statesmanship, and high-level discipline.
“What Hon. Samuel Ajose has demonstrated today is the true essence of the Lagos progressive tradition,” Hamzat said. “He has shown that we are not driven by desperate ambition but by a shared vision to elevate Lagos to greater heights. This gesture unites our ranks and sends a clear message to the opposition that the APC remains an unbreakable block.”
Party Leadership Reacts
The State Chairman of the APC, Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi, lauded the development as a triumph of internal democracy and party discipline. He urged other aspirants within the party to emulate Ajose’s selflessness to avoid unnecessary friction that could be exploited by opposition elements.
“This is what makes Lagos APC distinct,” Ojelabi remarked. “We have internal mechanisms for conflict resolution and consensus-building. By this singular act, Hon. Ajose has written his name in gold in the history of Lagos politics, and the party will not forget this sacrifice.”
As the state moves closer to the independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) timelines for the 2027 polls, the Hamzat camp has reportedly begun absorbing Ajose’s extensive campaign network, solidifying what political commentators are already calling an “unassailable lead” ahead of the party’s primary elections.
