The Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC, has expelled two of its former members, Ganiyu Kolawole Egunjobi and Azeez Yusuf, for alleged anti-party activities. The party cited their decision to contest the 2026 House of Assembly primaries under the Allied Peoples Movement, APM, after failing to secure the APC ticket. This move was seen as a breach of the obligations expected of members who participate in the party's internal nomination process.
According to the Lagos APC chairman, Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi, the party would not accept what it described as disloyal conduct from members who failed to secure its tickets. Ojelabi stated that the party considers their purported resignation from the APC as an attempt to avoid disciplinary consequences. He emphasized 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.
The two former members, Egunjobi and Yusuf, had contested for the APC ticket in Agege Constituency I and Agege Constituency II, respectively, but failed to secure the party's nomination. They subsequently moved to the APM and emerged as the party's candidates for the respective constituencies. The Lagos APC 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.
The party's decision to expel Egunjobi and Yusuf was made in accordance with the Electoral Act 2026 and the Independent National Electoral Commission's regulations governing the electoral process. The Lagos APC warned its members, supporters, and other stakeholders against dealing with either Egunjobi or Yusuf as an authorised representative of the party. The party also directed its members to take note of the expulsion.
The expulsion of Egunjobi and Yusuf comes as the Independent National Electoral Commission has scheduled the governorship and State House of Assembly elections for February 6, 2027. The Lagos APC had earlier inaugurated its campaign council and directed its candidates to remain available for campaign activities. The party's chairman, Ojelabi, also advised candidates not to travel outside Nigeria until after the general elections.
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, they said their decision to leave the APC was taken independently, citing irregularities surrounding the primaries as the reason for their departure. They claimed that they had submitted petitions to party leaders but were dissatisfied with the response to their complaints.
The duo maintained that they had initially remained within the APC after the primaries while seeking redress over the outcome. They believed they had grounds to challenge the results through the internal mechanisms of the party before eventually deciding to leave. The Lagos APC's decision to expel Egunjobi and Yusuf has sparked a crisis within the party, with implications for the upcoming elections.
Key points
- The Lagos APC expelled Ganiyu Kolawole Egunjobi and Azeez Yusuf for alleged anti-party activities.
- The expulsion was made in accordance with the Electoral Act 2026 and the Independent National Electoral Commission's regulations.
- The crisis within the Lagos APC has implications for the upcoming governorship and State House of Assembly elections.
