Lagos 2027: Ojelabi Warns Against Endorsement Of Any APC Aspirants

By Akinwale Kasali

As the 2027 election gathers momentum, and the endorsement of Lagos State Deputy Governor, Obafemi Kadiri Hamzat, as the All Progressives Congress, APC, Candidate, by James Abiodun Faleke, Lawmaker, representing Ikeja 1 Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, APC Chairman, Lagos State Chapter, Cornelius Ojelabi, has warned against unauthorized actions by some party leaders for publicly endorsing certain aspirants.

Ojelabi said no Chieftain of the Party in the State has the right or power to endorse any aspirants into any elective offices, and present them as so-called “consensus” Candidates of the party.

Ojelabi gave the warning in a statement issued on Sunday, following a series of endorsements of aspirants in the State.

According to the APC Chairman, “The attention of the Lagos State  Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has been drawn to the disturbing and unauthorized actions of some Local Government Chairmen  who have taken to publicly raising the hands of certain aspirants to various elective offices and presenting them as so-called consensus candidates of the party.

“The party wishes to state unequivocally that such conduct is wrong, unacceptable, and a clear violation of the principles of internal democracy, fairness, and due process for which our great party is known.

“These actions are capable of generating avoidable tension, fueling suspicion, and causing needless division within our ranks at a time when unity and discipline remain paramount.”

Giving clarification on the next month’s primaries of the Party in the State, Ojelabi said, “For the avoidance of doubt, the Lagos State APC has not issued any guidelines, directives, or timetable for the forthcoming primaries.

“Consequently, any attempt by any party official to project, or anoint any aspirant as a consensus candidate is premature, misleading, and entirely without the authorization of the party.

“The party hereby places all officials on notice that, following this warning, it will not hesitate to impose appropriate disciplinary sanctions on any person who continues to engage in these unauthorized and destabilizing acts.

“We wish to reassure all duly registered party members who meet the constitutional requirements to contest for elective offices that the party remains committed to providing a level playing field for all aspirants, free from intimidation, coercion, or any form of undue influence.

“Accordingly, all party officials who are expected to serve as impartial umpires in the forthcoming primaries are strongly enjoined to maintain strict neutrality in the overall interest of party unity, cohesion, and credibility,” he stated.

It would be recalled that there are speculations from different quarters that Hamzat may become the Candidate of the Party, following the endorsement by Faleke,  who urged stakeholders in Ikeja LG and Ojodu LCDA to rally round Hamzat. 

Many are of the opinion that Faleke may be indirectly speaking the mind of President Bola Tinubu, but with the action of Ojelabi, it seems Faleke was just playing politics, as he may have an agenda, which is in the offing.