…Ajose withdraws from Lagos APC guber race, backs Obafemi Hamzat
It was carnival like in Badagry on Tuesday where a mammoth crowd gathered to witness the endorsement of Lagos State deputy governor and the All Progressives Congress, APC, leading gubernatorial aspirant, Dr. Kadiri Obafemi Hamzat, as the next governor of Lagos State.
The event was attended by political leaders, traditional rulers, and party members, who, in their thousands, welcomed the entourage led by the Secretary of the Governance Advisory Council, GAC, Alhaji Mutiu Are.
Are was accompanied by GAC members and APC leaders, which included Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, Ogboni Fouad Oki, Alhaji Bode Oyedele, and Dr. Adekunle Olayinka.
Speaking on behalf of Hamzat, who was unavoidably absent, Senator Obanikoro thanked the people for their support for the party and Hamzat, who has been adopted as the APC consensus candidate.
He specifically thanked other governorship aspirants, particularly Samuel Ajose, who is from Badagry Division for stepping down for Hamzat.
“By obeying the leadership of the party, Ajose has demonstrated the ‘Omoluabi ethos’, by the uncanny humility, loyalty and respect for our party, especially the party leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Our brother, we appreciate you,” he said.
Announcing the donation of boats and life jackets to schools in Badagry, Obanikoro said the initiative was borne out of Hamzat’s desire for the safety of school children in the area, many who used waterways to their respective schools.
The items provided include two boats and 100 life jackets.
Speaking earlier, the chairman of Badagry Local Government Area, Hon. Babatunde Hunpe, commended the APC leaders for supporting the party.
“I want to assure you that you will not regret your support for APC. Our traditional fathers and youths have all demonstrated total commitment to this project, and I am assuring you that you will not regret it,” Hunpe said.
Samuel Ajose withdraws from Lagos APC guber race, backs Obafemi Hamzat
Samuel Ajose, a governorship aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos, has withdrawn from the 2027 race and declared support for Obafemi Hamzat, deputy governor of Lagos and the party’s consensus candidate.
While addressing his supporters in Lagos on Tuesday, Ajose described his decision to withdraw from the race as a tough one taken after deep reflection for the party’s unity and the broader interest of Lagos residents.
“I know it is a very tough decision. I still struggled with it overnight, too. But when I woke up in the morning, I had my peace,” he said.
The former aspirant said his priority is ensuring collective benefit and inclusive progress, adding that he would actively join Hamzat’s campaign structure in a significant role.
“In the interest of the party, I, Dr Samuel Mawuyon Ajose, have decided that I will let go. I will support Dr Hamzat, and we are going to be part of his campaign, and we are going to take a very important position in his campaign,” he said.
Ajose’s withdrawal follows a similar move by Abdul-Azeez Adediran, popularly known as Jandor, another former aspirant, who also stepped down and endorsed Hamzat after President Bola Tinubu and Lagos APC leaders backed the deputy governor.
