Lagos APC governorship aspirant denies endorsing Hamzat, threatens lawsuit

A political storm is brewing in Lagos State as a governorship aspirant, Samuel Ajose, has vehemently denied endorsing the current Deputy Governor, Obafemi Hamzat. The denial, issued through Ajose's verified X handle, directly refutes a press release that falsely attributed an endorsement to him, along with support for the state's Governance Advisory Council (GAC).

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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

Ajose has labeled the publication as fictitious, unsanctioned, and malicious, emphasizing that it does not represent his views or those of his campaign. He has urged the public and media to disregard the statement, warning that its amplification could be considered defamatory and potentially criminal, designed to manipulate public opinion and damage his political standing.

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This publication is fictitious, unsanctioned, and malicious in intent. It does not represent my position, my campaign’s position, or the position of anyone authorised to speak on my behalf.

The aspirant has not minced words in his response, issuing a stern ultimatum to those responsible for circulating the false document. He demands an immediate retraction and deletion of the material within 12 hours, making it clear that legal proceedings for reputational and electoral damages will follow without further notice if his demands are not met.

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I urge the good people of Lagos State and my supporters across the country to disregard it entirely. I further urge responsible media houses to refrain from amplifying what is, in legal terms, a defamatory and potentially criminal instrument designed to manipulate public opinion and damage my standing

This incident highlights the intense political maneuvering and information warfare that often characterize the lead-up to elections in Nigeria. The swift and strong reaction from Ajose underscores the importance of controlling the narrative and protecting one's political image in a highly competitive environment. The threat of legal action signals a willingness to fight back against what he perceives as a deliberate attempt to undermine his candidacy.

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All parties who have published or continue to circulate this material are hereby placed on notice: retraction and full deletion must occur within 12 hours. Legal proceedings for reputational and electoral damages will follow without further notice