Lagos APC Expels Former Agege Chair Egunjobi and Azeez Yusuf Over Alleged Anti-Party Activities
…Party Says Duo Violated Rules by Contesting on APM Ticket After APC Primaries…
The Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC, has expelled former Agege Local Government chairman, Ganiyu Kolawole Egunjobi, and Azeez Yusuf over alleged anti-party activities.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by the Lagos APC Chairman, Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi, the party said the two former members violated its rules after contesting the APC 2026 House of Assembly primaries and subsequently securing tickets to contest the same elections under the Allied Peoples Movement, APM.
Egunjobi contested for the APC ticket in Agege Constituency I, while Yusuf sought the party’s nomination for Agege Constituency II. Neither secured the APC ticket. Following the outcome of the primaries, both politicians moved to the APM and emerged as the party’s candidates for the respective constituencies.
The Lagos APC said their decision amounted to a breach of the obligations expected of members who participate in the party’s internal nomination process.
Ojelabi said the party would not accept what it described as disloyal conduct from members who failed to secure its tickets. He stated that their subsequent movement to another political platform could not be separated from their participation in the APC primary elections.
According to him, the party considers their purported resignation from the APC as an attempt to avoid disciplinary consequences.
“The Party’s position is that membership of the APC cannot be treated as a convenient political garment to be worn during a primary and discarded immediately after an unsuccessful outcome,” Ojelabi said.
He added that while members are free to aspire to elective office, such aspirations must be pursued within the framework of the party’s constitution and applicable electoral laws.
“A member who loses an internal contest is expected to accept the outcome or pursue legitimate avenues of redress provided by the Party and the law – not to undermine the Party by seeking an alternative platform within the same electoral cycle,” he said.
The party said it had invoked the relevant provisions of Article 9(5)(II) of the APC Constitution as amended in 2022 in taking disciplinary action against the two former members.
Ojelabi said: “The Lagos APC therefore wishes to make it abundantly clear that Chief Ganiyu Kolawole Egunjobi and Mr. Azeez Yusuf are no longer members of the APC. Consequently, neither individual has the authority to speak for, represent, negotiate on behalf of, or otherwise transact any business with any person, organisation or institution in the name of the Lagos State APC.”
The party directed its members, supporters and other stakeholders to take note of the expulsion and warned against dealing with either Egunjobi or Yusuf as an authorised representative of the Lagos APC.
Egunjobi and Yusuf had earlier rejected claims that their decision to leave the APC was influenced by Lagos House of Assembly Speaker, Mudasiru Obasa.
In a joint statement after their emergence as APM candidates, they said their decision was taken independently.
The duo said they had initially remained within the APC after the primaries while seeking redress over the outcome and had submitted petitions to party leaders but were dissatisfied with the response.
“For the avoidance of doubt, Rt. Hon. Mudasiru Obasa had no hand whatsoever in our decision to leave the APC and contest under the platform of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM). The decision was entirely ours and was taken independently after careful consideration of our experiences within the party,” they stated.
They maintained that their disagreement was connected to what they described as irregularities surrounding the primaries and that they believed they had grounds to challenge the results through internal mechanisms before eventually deciding to leave.
The Independent National Electoral Commission has scheduled the governorship and State House of Assembly elections for February 6, 2027, according to its current election calendar.
On September 18, the Lagos APC inaugurated its campaign council and directed its candidates to remain available for campaign activities. Ojelabi also told the candidates not to travel outside Nigeria until after the general elections.
The Commission has emphasised the obligation of political parties and political actors to comply with the Electoral Act 2026 and the Commission’s regulations governing the electoral process.