Samuel Ajose Withdraws from Lagos APC Governorship Race, Pledges 3.5 Million Votes for Hamzat, Tinubu
A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, Samuel Ajose, has announced his withdrawal from the Lagos State APC governorship race, pledging over three million votes each to the party’s consensus candidate, Obafemi Hamzat, and President Bola Tinubu.
Addressing members of the SMA Movement and party supporters during a gathering in Lagos, Ajose disclosed that his decision to step down was driven by loyalty to the APC, respect for President Tinubu, and the need to preserve unity within the ruling party ahead of the 2027 elections.
The businessman paid tribute to the President, whom he described as the political father of modern Lagos, saying the movement remained committed to the progress of the state and the success of the APC.
“We are gathered because of the nation, we are gathered because of him, we are gathered because of the progress of Lagos,” he declared.
Ajose compared the political arrangement within the party to a family setting where elders are accorded priority and respect, noting that he accepted the party’s decision in good faith with the hope that his own time would come in the future.
In a show of confidence in his political structure, Ajose announced that the SMA Movement had already perfected plans to deliver 3.5 million votes for President Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election.
“That mandate is four plus four,” he told supporters amid cheers. “We are speaking to our father once again to let him know that this movement is committed to the growth of APC and committed to delivering the 3.5 million votes we promised him come 2027.”
According to him, the supporters present at the gathering represented only a fraction of the movement’s strength across Lagos State. “These are just the executives of the SMA Movement. Imagine how many members we have in the state. What we are promising is 3.5 million votes, and by the grace of God, we are going to deliver it.”
Ajose also declared that the same number of votes promised to Tinubu would automatically go to Hamzat in the governorship election. “As we are giving our president 3.5 million votes, automatically 3.5 million will be coming to KOH,” he said, referring to Hamzat.
Officially announcing his withdrawal from the race, Ajose stressed that the SMA Movement and his family had resolved to endorse Hamzat as the APC consensus governorship candidate for Lagos State.
“Today is supposed to be the day of declaration,” he stated. “It is my responsibility to call you here and officially tell you that Dr. Samuel Mawuyon Ajose is stepping down from the race.”
“I’m saying once again that officially, Dr. Samuel Mawuyon Ajose and SMA Movement, including my family, are endorsing Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat as the consensus candidate for APC in Lagos State.”
Ajose described Hamzat as “a complete gentleman” and expressed confidence in his leadership qualities and political promises.
“I have no single doubt that everything we discussed is going to come to pass. Our interest is not just for Badagry; our interest is for Ikorodu, Epe, Ikeja, Lagos Central, and every part of Lagos State,” he noted.
Ajose assured supporters that the movement would immediately begin campaigning for Hamzat, revealing that all SMA Movement campaign materials, media advertisements, and branding would now be redirected towards supporting the deputy governor’s governorship ambition.
“All our adverts on social media, radio stations, and TV stations will start changing to Dr. Kadri Hamzat for Governor of Lagos State,” Ajose announced.
He further urged members of the movement to remain united, maintaining that politics should not be viewed as a battle but as a contest where every participant has a role to play.
“We are one family, and we are going to remain one family. By God’s grace, come 2027, we will all gather together to celebrate him as the next Executive Governor of Lagos State,” he added.
