The leadership of the Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has assured governorship aspirant and philanthropist, Samuel Ajose, popularly known as SMA Gold, of a transparent, credible and level-playing-field primary ahead of the party’s May 21 gubernatorial contest.
The assurance came during a high-level meeting between members of the State Working Committee (SWC) and Ajose in Lagos on Thursday, where party leaders reiterated their commitment to conducting a free and fair exercise in line with the Electoral Act and APC guidelines.
Leading the party delegation, Lagos APC Chairman, Cornelius Ojelabi, alongside the party’s South-West Organising Secretary, Lateef Ibirogba, stated that the APC national leadership had directed that the governorship primary must strictly follow laid-down democratic procedures.
According to Ojelabi, the party remains committed to ensuring that every aspirant gets equal opportunity and that the eventual winner emerges through a transparent process accepted by all stakeholders.
He described Ajose’s visit as “a family meeting,” noting that the aspirant remains a longstanding member of the progressive fold.
“Ajose officially informed the party of his intention to contest the governorship seat in 2027 and also shared his vision for Lagos State. We assured him that the APC will provide a level playing field for all aspirants,” Ojelabi said.
He stressed that the APC remains one of the few political parties where aspirants actively engage party members across local governments before the general election process begins.
“This is a party built on internal democracy. Aspirants move from one council area to another, meeting party faithful and canvassing support. As we approach the primary, Lagosians will witness an organised and transparent process,” he added.
The APC chairman further disclosed that the party was considering either consensus arrangements or direct primaries, depending on consultations and directives from the national secretariat.
Responding after the meeting, Ajose dismissed speculations suggesting he was planning to step down from the race, insisting that he remains fully committed to his governorship ambition.
“By the grace of God, I am still in the race,” he declared.
Ajose explained that his visit to the party secretariat was aimed at seeking reassurance from the leadership that the primary election would be conducted fairly and transparently.
He commended the warm reception accorded him by the party leadership, describing the interaction as encouraging and reassuring.
“The chairman and members of the SWC gave us strong assurances that every necessary arrangement would be put in place to guarantee fairness and comfort for all aspirants during the primary,” he said.
The governorship hopeful, however, pledged loyalty to the APC, saying he would accept the outcome of the exercise in the spirit of party supremacy.
“Whatever the outcome may be, the party remains supreme and we will abide by its decision,” Ajose stated.
He also used the opportunity to reaffirm his support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, declaring that the SMA political movement would mobilise massive support for the President’s re-election bid in 2027.
According to him, the movement is targeting no fewer than 3.5 million votes for Tinubu in Lagos State during the next presidential election.
