APC GOVERNORSHIP ASPIRANT AJOSE WITHDRAWS FROM LAGOS RACE, BACKS DEPUTY GOVERNOR HAMZAT
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By Aishat Momoh. O.
A Lagos State governorship aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Samuel Ajose, has withdrawn from the 2027 governorship race, declaring support for Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat following consultations with party leaders.
Ajose, popularly known as SMA Gold, confirmed his decision during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Wednesday, saying the move was in line with the position of APC leadership ahead of the party’s primaries.
The Badagry-born politician, who had earlier insisted he would remain in the race, said he stepped down after it became clear that the party had settled for a different direction in the Lagos governorship contest.
According to him, the decision was difficult but necessary for party unity and stability ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“The race has been very interesting and it came to an emotional end yesterday for the phase of SMA for the 2027 election,” he said. “You need to sit down to re-plan and re-strategise and when you have the leadership of the party saying this is the way we want to go, you can’t walk in isolation if you want to remain in the party.”
Ajose said his withdrawal was rooted in respect for the APC constitution and its internal decision-making process, stressing that party unity took precedence over personal ambition.
“We all respect the constitution of the party. The constitution of the party is supreme and if what the party is saying at this point in time is that this is the way they want to go, in the interest of peace… I think it is better we take that decision,” he added.
He also dismissed suggestions that he stepped down out of fear of losing the primary, insisting that his decision was guided by consultations with party elders.
“What I can tell you is that everybody that constitutes the leadership of the party sat me down and when your elders are talking to you, you have to listen,” he said.
Ajose further disclosed that discussions with party leaders focused on development priorities for Badagry, adding that some commitments were secured for the area as part of the consultations.
Hamzat, who is widely regarded as the preferred APC aspirant in Lagos State, has reportedly secured backing from key party stakeholders, including President Bola Tinubu, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and the Lagos Governance Advisory Council (GAC).
He is currently serving his second term as deputy governor alongside Governor Sanwo-Olu, following their re-election in 2023. Before becoming deputy governor, Hamzat served as commissioner under former governors Tinubu and Babatunde Fashola.
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