The Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has expelled Ganiyu Kola Egunjobi and Azeez Oladapo Yusuf, former loyalists of Mudashiru Obasa, for defecting to the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) and contesting the 2027 Lagos State House of Assembly elections. The expulsion was announced by Lagos APC Chairman, Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi, who cited anti-party activities, disloyalty, and conduct that violated the party's rules and disciplinary standards. Egunjobi and Yusuf had participated in the APC nomination process but opted to pursue their ambitions under another platform after failing to emerge as APC candidates.
According to Ojelabi, Egunjobi and Yusuf's actions contravened Article 9(5)(II) of the APC's 2022 amended constitution. The party stated 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. Members who lose internal contests are expected to either accept the outcome or use the party's recognised avenues for redress rather than seek an alternative platform within the same electoral cycle.
Egunjobi and Yusuf have emerged as APM candidates for Agege Constituencies I and II, respectively. Reports indicate that their move followed changes to the APC candidate list after its primary process. The APC presented Gbenga Abiola as its candidate for Agege Constituency I and Sakiru Enimakure for Constituency II. Egunjobi and Yusuf disputed the outcome, claiming they won the respective primaries and were subsequently denied the tickets.
The two politicians have rejected suggestions that their departure was orchestrated by Lagos State House of Assembly Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa, who has been linked to both men politically. They claimed their decision was based on their experience during the primary process and was taken independently. Egunjobi and Yusuf said they had remained within the APC after the disputed primaries while seeking internal redress but did not receive satisfactory reconciliation.
The APC's latest action means Egunjobi and Yusuf are no longer recognised as members of the ruling party in Lagos. Ojelabi stated that neither man was authorised to speak, negotiate, or conduct business on behalf of the Lagos APC. The party also warned members, supporters, and stakeholders against dealing with either man as an authorised representative of the Lagos APC.
The expulsion adds a new dimension to the political dispute surrounding the two Agege constituencies. Egunjobi, a former Agege Local Government Chairman, and Yusuf had been loyalists of Obasa before their defection to the APM. The development may impact the 2027 Lagos State House of Assembly elections, with the APC and APM now having competing candidates in the two constituencies.
The APC's decision to expel Egunjobi and Yusuf reflects the party's stance on internal democracy and loyalty. The party's leadership has made it clear that it will not tolerate members who abandon the party after losing internal contests. The move may also be seen as a strategic effort to maintain party unity and cohesion ahead of the 2027 elections.
Key points
- The Lagos APC has expelled Ganiyu Kola Egunjobi and Azeez Oladapo Yusuf for defecting to the APM.
- Egunjobi and Yusuf had contested the APC nomination process and emerged as APM candidates for Agege Constituencies I and II.
- The expulsion reflects the APC's stance on internal democracy and loyalty, with the party leadership vowing to maintain party unity ahead of the 2027 elections.
