Lagos APC expels ex-Agege chairman, aspirant over defection to APM

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The Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress has expelled former Agege Local Government Chairman, Ganiyu Egunjobi, and former Agege Constituency II aspirant, Azeez Yusuf, following their defection to the Allied Peoples Movement.

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The state APC Chairman, Cornelius Ojelabi, announced the expulsion in a statement posted on his Facebook page on Wednesday, accusing the two former members of anti-party activities and disloyalty.

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Egunjobi and Yusuf had contested the APC primaries for Agege Constituencies I and II, respectively, but failed to secure the party’s tickets before obtaining tickets from the APM.

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The development came days after the duo defended their decision to leave the APC, saying their defection was an independent decision following what they described as “grave injustice” in the party’s handling of the primaries.

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In the statement, Ojelabi said the two had failed to respect the outcome of the APC’s internal process after losing the tickets.

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He said, “The Lagos APC views this conduct as a clear repudiation of the obligations of party membership and an unacceptable act of anti-party activity and disloyalty.”

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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.”

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“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,” he said.

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The chairman said the APC was governed by rules and constitutional obligations, adding that members who lost internal contests were expected to accept the outcome or pursue legitimate avenues of redress.

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“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,” Ojelabi said.

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He said the party had invoked Article 9(5)(II) of the APC Constitution, as amended in 2022, in taking disciplinary action against the two former members.

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The APC chairman said the party’s action was also significant in the context of the 2026 electoral framework, noting the obligation of political parties and political actors to comply with the Electoral Act 2026 and the regulations of the Independent National Electoral Commission.

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“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 or the All Progressives Congress,” he said.

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The chairman 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 authorised agents of the party.

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The expulsion followed the duo’s move to the APM, where they emerged candidates for the Agege State Constituencies I and II seats, respectively.

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PUNCH Online reported on September 18 that Egunjobi and Yusuf denied that their defection was linked to Lagos State House of Assembly Speaker Mudasiru Obasa.

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“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 said.

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They also said they had remained with the APC despite political challenges but left after what they described as “grave injustice” and the failure of the party leadership to initiate meaningful reconciliation after the disputed primaries.

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The duo said they had submitted petitions and sought redress within the APC but were disappointed that the leadership did not invite them for reconciliation or provide what they considered a satisfactory resolution to their complaints.

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