By Ghazali Ibrahim
A Lagos State governorship aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, Samuel Mayuwon Ajose, has reportedly stepped down from the 2027 governorship race in support of Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat as consensus candidate.
The development follows weeks of political consultations and intense lobbying within the Lagos APC ahead of the party’s governorship primaries.
Reports indicated that Hamzat has continued to gain support from influential party leaders and members of the Governance Advisory Council.
While Olajide Adeniran also know as Jandor and former governor Akinwunmi Ambode earlier accepted the consensus agreement and backed Hamzat, Ajose opposed attempts to impose a consensus arrangement, insisting during a television interview that all aspirants should be allowed to test their popularity through direct primaries.
He argued at the time that consensus could only stand if all aspirants voluntarily agreed to it.
However, fresh reports suggest the property developer and politician has now aligned with Hamzat’s camp as momentum builds around the deputy governor’s ambition to succeed Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu in 2027.
Hamzat, who has served as Lagos deputy governor since 2019, is widely regarded as one of the leading contenders in the race.
He has reportedly secured endorsements from key APC stakeholders in the state, including members of the Governance Advisory Council and other influential party figures.
Political observers say the latest development further strengthens Hamzat’s position ahead of the APC governorship primaries, although the party has yet to officially announce its final candidate for the 2027 election.
