Dr Samuel Mawuyon Ajose, a prominent governorship aspirant in Lagos State for the 2027 election, has issued a strong denial of a press statement falsely claiming he endorsed Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat as the All Progressives Congress (APC) consensus candidate. The statement, which circulated widely across Nigerian media platforms, has been dismissed by Ajose as unauthorised, false, and misleading. He emphasized that he had no involvement in the alleged endorsement by the party’s Governance Advisory Council (GAC) and did not approve or issue the document in question.
In a formal public disclaimer, Ajose stated that the press release was entirely fictitious and not representative of his views or campaign positions. He made it clear that he played no role in the GAC’s deliberations and that the statement was a deliberate attempt to mislead the public and distort his political stance. “My attention has been drawn to the circulation of a false and unauthorised press release in the Nigerian media, purporting to convey my endorsement of Dr Hamzat as the Lagos State governorship candidate of our party, and my support for the decisions of the state’s GAC, a process in which I played no part,” he said.
Ajose further described the document as malicious in intent and warned that it was designed to influence public perception and manipulate political narratives ahead of the 2027 election. He urged Lagos residents, especially his supporters, to disregard the content and remain vigilant against misinformation. The aspirant also directed a stern warning to media outlets that published the statement, demanding an immediate retraction and removal of the material within 12 hours.
Failure to comply, Ajose warned, would result in legal action, including claims for defamation and electoral damage. “This is a defamatory and potentially criminal instrument intended to damage my reputation, and I will take all necessary legal steps to address it,” he stated. The legal threat underscores the seriousness with which Ajose is treating the matter, especially as political tensions rise in Lagos State ahead of the upcoming governorship race.
The incident highlights the growing challenges of misinformation in Nigeria’s political landscape, where unverified claims can quickly gain traction and influence voter sentiment. Ajose’s swift response reflects his commitment to transparency and accountability in his campaign. As the 2027 election draws closer, candidates and political actors are expected to remain vigilant against attempts to manipulate public opinion through false narratives. This case may also prompt further scrutiny of media responsibility in verifying political statements before publication.
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