By Esther Onyegbula

Residents of Badagry division in Lagos State on Tuesday declared total support for President Bola Tinubu and Lagos State Deputy Governor, Obafemi Hamzat, ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The endorsement came during a massive gathering attended by thousands of residents, traditional chiefs, political stakeholders and supporters of the All Progressives Congress, APC, across the Badagry division.

The event, held opposite the Nigerian French Language Village in Badagry, also witnessed the announcement that governorship aspirant, Dr Samuel Ajose, had withdrawn from the APC governorship race in support of Hamzat’s ambition.

Three council chairmen, including Hon. Babatunde Hunpe, Chairman of Badagry Local Government; Hon. Peter Ajose, Chairman of Olorunda LCDA; and Hon. Rauf Yemaren of Badagry-West LCDA, led party supporters and community leaders to receive an APC delegation from Lagos.

Former Minister of State for Defence, Musiliu Obanikoro, who represented Hamzat at the event, appreciated residents for the warm reception accorded the delegation.

According to him, Hamzat was unable to attend personally because of urgent assignments connected to the President’s official engagements.

“We are happy to be in Badagry and to see that Badagry as a community is doing very well,” Obanikoro said.

He assured residents that Hamzat would prioritise the development of Badagry communities if elected governor in 2027.

Obanikoro also thanked APC leaders and residents for their loyalty and continued support for the programmes of the party in Lagos State.

He further announced that the Lagos State Government had donated two boats and 100 life jackets to residents of the Gberefu riverine community to ease transportation challenges.

According to him, the intervention would support students, traders and villagers living within the riverine settlement.

Speaking on the governorship ambition of Dr Samuel Ajose, Obanikoro disclosed that the Badagry indigene had stepped down from the APC governorship race after consultations with members of the party’s Governance Advisory Council, GAC.

“He will speak on air tomorrow to formally declare his support for Hamzat and I commend him for understanding the party.
“I thank all APC leaders in Badagry for their support and assure them that the incoming governor will not forget them,” he said.

Also speaking, Lagos State Head of Service and Secretary to the State Government, Abimbola Salu-Hundeyin, commended the unity displayed by residents of the division.
She described the large turnout as evidence of the confidence reposed in Tinubu and Hamzat ahead of the next electoral cycle.

Salu-Hundeyin noted that Badagry had consistently demonstrated loyalty to leaders committed to development and progressive governance.

“That is why we have gathered here today to support leaders that will take Nigeria and Lagos State to greater heights,” she said.
She assured residents of improved governance, better living conditions and sustained development under the APC administration in Lagos State.

In his remarks, Chairman of Badagry Local Government, Hon. Babatunde Hunpe, reaffirmed the division’s support for the APC and its developmental programmes.
Hunpe commended the Lagos State Government for donating boats and life jackets to the Gberefu community, noting that the intervention would improve transportation, safety and socio-economic activities in the riverine area.

Also speaking, Hon. Joseph Bamgbose of Badagry-West LCDA commended residents of the Badagry division for turning out en masse to welcome the delegation, while pledging continued support for the APC ahead of the 2027 elections.