- APC chieftain Samuel Ajose withdrew from the Lagos governorship race
- He declared support for Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat ahead of the election
- The move reflects growing political consolidation within the Lagos APC
A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Samuel Ajose, has withdrawn from the Lagos State governorship race and declared his support for the Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Obafemi Hamzat, ahead of the next governorship election.
Ajose announced his decision on Tuesday while addressing his supporters in Lagos, saying the move was made after careful reflection and in the interest of unity within the party.
He admitted that the decision was a difficult one but said he ultimately found peace with it after considering what would best serve collective progress.
“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.
Ajose explained that his priority was ensuring inclusiveness and fairness in the political process, adding that governance should focus on broad-based benefits rather than individual ambition.
“Everything that everybody will benefit from, even if I won’t be the governor, you are still going to benefit because you have made sure that you took care of the interests of everybody,” he said.
Announcing his formal withdrawal, Ajose stated that he would now actively support Hamzat’s governorship ambition and join his campaign structure.
“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,” he said.
His withdrawal adds to a growing pattern of political realignments within the Lagos APC ahead of the forthcoming governorship contest, as party stakeholders increasingly consolidate support around key figures.
The development follows a similar move by former Lagos governorship aspirant Abdul-Azeez Adediran, who also stepped down from the race and endorsed Hamzat.
Adediran had cited the endorsement of Hamzat by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and senior APC leaders in Lagos State as a key factor in his decision to withdraw.
He described his action as a sacrifice aimed at strengthening party unity and maintaining cohesion within the APC, while pledging continued loyalty to the party leadership.
Political observers say the series of withdrawals and endorsements reflects early consolidation efforts within the Lagos APC as the party positions itself ahead of the next electoral cycle.