The Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has cautioned local council chairmen and other party officials against publicly endorsing aspirants for elective positions ahead of the party’s primaries.
In a statement, yesterday, by the state Chairman of the party, Cornelius Ojelabi, the APC described the recent practice of some council chairmen raising the hands of aspirants and presenting them as consensus candidates as unauthorised and contrary to the party’s democratic principles.
Ojelabi said such actions were unacceptable and amounted to a violation of the values of fairness, due process and internal democracy for which the party is known.
He warned that premature endorsements could create unnecessary tension, breed suspicion and deepen divisions within the party at a period when unity and discipline were essential.
The APC chairman clarified that the Lagos chapter of the party had not released any guidelines, directives, or timetable for the forthcoming primaries, stressing that any attempt to project or impose aspirants as consensus candidates lacked the party’s approval.
Meanwhile, the Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Obafemi Hamzat, yesterday, paid courtesy visits to the Oba of Lagos, Rilwanu Aremu Akiolu; elder statesman, Femi Okunnu, and former Deputy Governor of the state, Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire.
The separate visits were part of Hamzat’s ongoing consultations with party leaders and elders in Lagos State ahead of his 2027 governorship ambition on the APC platform.
Hamzat, who was accompanied by APC stalwarts, including former lawmaker Musiliu Obanikoro, Senator Ganiyu Solomon, Rasaq Ajala and Chief Bode Oyedele, received royal blessings from Oba Akiolu, while Okunnu wished him and the ruling APC well in the next election.
Orelope-Adefulire emphasised the need for all hands to be on deck to re-elect President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027, adding that the APC must retain control of the state.
The monarch, who bestowed royal blessings on Hamzat, prayed for the success of his political ambition, describing him as a quintessential Omoluabi.