Primaries: Lagos APC warns against endorsement of aspirants or face sanctions

By Olasunkanmi Akoni

Ahead of the forthcoming primaries to elect candidates for the 2027 general elections, Lagos State All Progressives Congress, APC, Chairman, Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi, has warned against unauthorized actions by some party leaders for publicly endorsing certain aspirants to various elective offices, presenting 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.”

Purported guidelines for primaries

While giving clarification on the next month’s primaries, 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.”

Ojelabi maintained that APC in Lagos State will not compromise its hard-earned reputation as a political institution founded on the ideals of justice, equity, fairness, and transparent internal democratic processes.

“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 urged.

Jandor intensifies consultations

Meanwhile, the leading governorship aspirant of APC in Lagos, Olajide Adediran, popularly called Jandor, has continued his strategic consultation drive with a high-level visit to the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa.

The visit to the Speaker forms a critical part of JANDOR’s deliberate engagement with key institutional stakeholders within the party and government, as he intensifies consultations ahead of the Lagos APC Governorship primaries.

In continuation of his outreach to the leadership of the Lagos State Governance Advisory Council, GAC, Adediran also paid a consultation visit to Dr. Oluyomi Abayomi Finnih, a prominent member of the GAC, renowned Nigerian obstetrician and gynecologist, and respected elder statesman.

The engagement provided an opportunity for valuable dialogue, drawing on Finnih’s depth of experience in governance and party affairs.

These engagements further reinforce Adediran’s structured and inclusive consultation framework, which integrates both grassroots mobilisation and high-level leadership engagement.

His bottom-top and top-bottom approach continues to drive a broad-based consensus-building process across all levels of the party.

Adediran reiterated his commitment to party unity, internal cohesion, and respect for established leadership structures, emphasizing that his aspiration remains anchored on collective progress and the consolidation of the APC’s achievements in Lagos State.

He also reaffirmed that the directive to leaders of his political structure across the 377 wards and 13,326 polling units remains in force, with sustained engagement of party members statewide to deepen support and strengthen alignment ahead of the primaries.

According to Mr. Gbenga Ogunleye, Spokesperson to Adediran, “These continuing consultations underscore Adediran’s strategic focus on building trust, fostering inclusiveness, and ensuring that every layer of the party structure is actively integrated as the APC prepares for the 2027 electoral cycle.”

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