Ahead of Thursday's governorship primary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State, aspirant Lanre Jim-Kamal has declared that there is no anointed or appointed candidate in the race. He insisted that all aspirants must be subjected to a transparent direct primary process.
Jim-Kamal Speaks on Direct Primaries
Jim-Kamal spoke during the unveiling of his five-point agenda in Lagos on Monday. He said his administration would focus on correcting what he described as "the anomalies of the past" in Lagos politics and governance.
According to him, the signing of the 2026 Electoral Act by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu demonstrated the administration's belief in direct primaries and opposition to the endorsement of candidates. He noted that the president supported direct primaries because he was uncomfortable with the culture of endorsements and imposition of candidates within political parties.
Appeal to Delegates
He urged delegates participating in the primary to vote according to their conscience and choose a candidate capable of providing quality leadership for the state. "I urge the delegates to open their eyes and vote for the person that will lead us well," he said.
The aspirant also called for peaceful conduct during the exercise, adding that Lagos must demonstrate political maturity and set an example for other states. "Let us be peaceful. Let us go out and show other states that we are no more 'Eko for Show' but 'Eko for Action'. We are going to lead by example this time around," he stated.
Option A4 System
Jim-Kamal described the primary as a direct primary conducted through the Option A4 system, noting that although the APC was not traditionally associated with the process, the party had now embraced it. "That is what is happening now — direct primary, what they call Option A4. APC may not be used to it because it has been more common with other parties, but now they have started it," he said.
Dismisses Consensus Claims
The APC governorship aspirant also dismissed reports of a consensus arrangement in favour of the Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Obafemi Hamzat. According to him, only five members of the party's Governorship Advisory Council reportedly supported Hamzat out of about 30 members, while the media amplified the endorsement claims. He further noted that the chairman of the council had recently denied allegations of endorsement.
Jim-Kamal criticised consensus arrangements within political parties, arguing that they often create divisions and resentment among party members. "If consensus stands, the deputy governor will not be running from pillar to post seeking support. Consensus breeds bad blood. There is nothing like consensus. We are all equal in this race," he said.
Deputy and Agenda
Jim-Kamal also announced Abiola Okoya, daughter of businessman Razaq Okoya, as his deputy governorship aspirant. Highlighting his programme for the state, the APC aspirant unveiled a five-point agenda centred on free automated education at all levels, free healthcare services, women and elderly empowerment, mass housing, adequate security, job creation and road infrastructure renewal.
He pledged to reconstruct roads across Lagos and address traffic congestion through housing development and urban renewal projects. The governorship hopeful further promised mechanised farming and fishing programmes modeled after Norway's system, alongside plans to eliminate youth unemployment within one year of assuming office.
