**Jandor, Ajose Ignore Arrangement, To Contest APC Primary
THE Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC) of the Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has endorsed the Deputy Governor, Obafemi Hamzat, as its consensus candidate in next year’s governorship election.
The decision by the highest decision-making organ of Lagos APC, followed the green light from President Bola Tinubu and endorsement by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Speaker of the state Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, and other major stakeholders and organs of the party and government, paves way for Hamzat to pick the party’s ticket and possibly emerge as the next governor of the state.
Chairman of GAC, Tajudeen Olusi, who raised the hand of Hamzat in the presence of the governor and other GAC members, said: “We have adopted our one and only Obafemi Hamzat, the current Deputy Governor of our state, as the consensus candidate of our party and we have all pledged to stand by him.”
Sanwo-Olu added that the GAC members had decided to contribute money to purchase the nomination forms for his deputy.
The 34-member GAC, however, clarified that despite adopting a consensus candidate, the party would still conduct primaries for all elective positions, in line with its constitution and guidelines.
In consideration of that position, other governorship aspirants in the party have indicated interest to vie for the position.
One of such, Abdul-Azeez Olajide Adediran, popularly known as Jandor, said he was going ahead to contest the guber primary, despite Hamzat’s endorsement and widespread support, saying he respects their constitutional and political right to endorse an aspirant of their choice.
He said it should be noted that the leadership of the party is yet to formally communicate a change of its position that the candidates of the party for the general elections will be chosen through direct primaries, adding that his “position does not, in any way, amount to opposition to respected party leaders who have publicly declared their support for Hamzat.”
Another aspirant, Samuel Ajose, has personally purchased the party’s expression of interest and nomination forms valued at N50million.
Ajose said his resolve remains rooted in service, anchored in a clear vision and driven by one conviction that Lagos deserves development, adding, in a statement on his X handle: “I have officially picked up my nomination and expression of interest forms, taking a definitive step forward in my aspiration to serve as Governor of Lagos State on the platform of our great party, the APC.
“This moment is bigger than a political process. It is a personal commitment to purposeful leadership, inclusive governance, and the kind of progress that every Lagosian can feel and point to.
“My resolve is rooted in service, anchored in a clear vision and driven by one conviction; that Lagos deserves development which reaches every community, creates real opportunities for its people, and leaves no one behind.
“I begin this journey with humility, courage and complete faith in God and in the good people of Lagos. Together, we are building something this state will be proud of.”
