The Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has expelled two former members, Ganiyu Egunjobi and Azeez Yusuf, for defecting to the Allied Peoples Movement (APM). The expulsion was announced by the state APC Chairman, Cornelius Ojelabi, in a statement posted on his Facebook page. Ojelabi accused the two former members of anti-party activities and disloyalty. Egunjobi and Yusuf had contested the APC primaries for Agege Constituencies I and II but failed to secure the party's tickets.
According to Ojelabi, Egunjobi and Yusuf's defection to the APM was a clear repudiation of their obligations as party members and an unacceptable act of anti-party activity and disloyalty. The two former members had defended their decision to leave the APC, citing "grave injustice" in the party's handling of the primaries. However, Ojelabi said their purported resignations from the APC were "nothing more than a belated and face-saving attempt to pre-empt the consequences of their actions."
Ojelabi emphasized that the APC is governed by rules and constitutional obligations, and members who lose internal contests are expected to accept the outcome or pursue legitimate avenues of redress. He noted that seeking an alternative platform within the same electoral cycle is not a legitimate option. The chairman said the party had invoked Article 9(5)(II) of the APC Constitution, as amended in 2022, in taking disciplinary action against Egunjobi and Yusuf.
The expulsion of Egunjobi and Yusuf followed their emergence as candidates for the Agege State Constituencies I and II seats on the APM platform. The two former members had denied that their defection was linked to Lagos State House of Assembly Speaker Mudasiru Obasa. They claimed that their decision to leave the APC was entirely theirs and was taken independently after careful consideration of their experiences within the party.
Egunjobi and Yusuf had submitted petitions and sought redress within the APC but were disappointed that the leadership did not invite them for reconciliation or provide a satisfactory resolution to their complaints. Ojelabi urged APC members, supporters, stakeholders, and the public to take note of their changed status and refrain from dealing with either of them as representatives or authorized agents of the party.
The chairman noted that the party's action was significant in the context of the 2026 electoral framework, emphasizing the obligation of political parties and political actors to comply with the Electoral Act 2026 and the regulations of the Independent National Electoral Commission. Consequently, neither Egunjobi nor Yusuf has the authority to speak for, represent, negotiate on behalf of, or otherwise transact any business with any person, organization, or institution in the name of the Lagos State APC or the All Progressives Congress.
The development highlights the internal dynamics of the APC in Lagos State and the consequences of defection to other parties. The party's decision to expel Egunjobi and Yusuf serves as a warning to other members who may be considering similar actions. The 2026 electoral cycle is expected to be keenly contested, and the APC's internal processes will likely be closely watched by stakeholders and the general public.
Key points
- The Lagos APC expelled Ganiyu Egunjobi and Azeez Yusuf for defecting to the Allied Peoples Movement.
- The expulsion was due to anti-party activities and disloyalty, according to the APC chairman.
- The party invoked Article 9(5)(II) of the APC Constitution in taking disciplinary action against the two former members.
