Lagos APC expels Obasa’s loyalists Egunjobi, Yusuf over APM defection

The Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has expelled former Agege Local Government Chairman, Ganiyu Kola Egunjobi, and Azeez Oladapo Yusuf following their decision to leave the party and contest the 2027 Lagos State House of Assembly elections on the platform of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM).

The expulsion adds a new dimension to the political dispute surrounding the two Agege constituencies, after both men rejected the outcome of the APC nomination process and subsequently secured APM tickets.

In a statement on Wednesday, Lagos APC Chairman, Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi, accused Egunjobi and Yusuf of anti-party activities, disloyalty and conduct that, according to the party, violated its rules and disciplinary standards.

The party said the two had participated in the APC nomination process for Agege Constituencies I and II but, after failing to emerge as the party’s candidates, opted to pursue their political ambitions under another platform.

The APC said it had consequently invoked Article 9(5)(II) of its 2022 amended constitution in expelling the duo.

“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 members who lose internal contests were expected either to accept the outcome or use the party’s recognised avenues for redress rather than seek an alternative platform within the same electoral cycle.

The development follows the emergence of Egunjobi and Yusuf as APM candidates for Agege Constituencies I and II respectively after leaving the APC. Reports said the move followed changes to the APC candidate list after its primary process.

For Agege Constituency I, the APC presented Gbenga Abiola as its candidate, while Sakiru Enimakure emerged as the party’s candidate for Constituency II. Egunjobi and Yusuf have disputed the outcome, maintaining that they won the respective primaries and were subsequently denied the tickets.

The two politicians have also 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 said their decision was based on their experience during the primary process and was taken independently.

In their account, Egunjobi and Yusuf said they had remained within the APC after the disputed primaries while seeking internal redress. They claimed, however, that their complaints did not result in what they considered satisfactory reconciliation, leading them to seek the APM platform.

The APC’s latest action means the two are no longer recognised as members of the ruling party in Lagos.

Ojelabi said neither Egunjobi nor Yusuf was authorised to speak, negotiate or conduct business on behalf of the Lagos APC.

“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,” he said.

The party also warned members, supporters and stakeholders against dealing with either man as an authorised representative of the Lagos APC.