Ajose bows out of Lagos governorship race, backs Hamzat after meeting Tinubu
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A major political realignment has emerged within the Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC, following the withdrawal of frontline governorship aspirant, Samuel Ajose, popularly known as SMA Gold, from the 2027 governorship race less than 48 hours before the party’s primary election.
A major political realignment has emerged within the Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC, following the withdrawal of frontline governorship aspirant, Samuel Ajose, popularly known as SMA Gold, from the 2027 governorship race less than 48 hours before the party’s primary election.
Ajose is now expected to formally endorse the incumbent Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Obafemi Hamzat, who has reportedly emerged as the consensus candidate of the ruling party ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
Sources familiar with the development disclosed that Ajose’s decision followed a private meeting with President Bola Tinubu, the national leader of the APC, at his Lagos residence on Tuesday.
According to insiders, discussions during the meeting centred on party unity, internal cohesion and the need to avoid a divisive governorship contest capable of destabilising the APC structure in Lagos.
The sources said Tinubu commended Ajose for his loyalty to the party and assured him that his sacrifice in the interest of party stability and unity would not go unrewarded.
Ajose, regarded as one of the strongest grassroots contenders in the race, had built a significant support base within key APC blocs across the state and was widely seen as a formidable aspirant ahead of the primary election.
His withdrawal is expected to significantly strengthen Hamzat’s position and further consolidate support around the deputy governor’s anticipated governorship ambition.
Although neither Ajose nor the APC leadership had issued an official statement as of press time, party sources confirmed that preparations were already underway for a formal public endorsement of Hamzat.
The development is widely viewed as a strategic move aimed at preserving party stability in Nigeria’s most politically influential state while reinforcing Hamzat’s growing status as the establishment-backed candidate for Lagos Government House.
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