By Esther Onyegbula

A Lagos State All Progressives Congress, APC, governorship aspirant for the 2027 general election, Dr. Samuel Mawuyon Ajose, at the weekend, appealed to party leaders and grassroots coordinators in Badagry Division to support his ambition to become the next governor of the state.

Ajose, who hails from Badagry, made the appeal during an APC engagement with Local Government Area, LGA, and Local Council Development Area, LCDA, coordinators across the 10 councils in Badagry Division.

The meeting, convened by the aspirant, brought together party stakeholders, grassroots coordinators and political leaders, with a focus on strengthening the party’s political structures ahead of the 2027 electoral cycle.

Addressing party delegates, Ajose said his aspiration was rooted in the desire to reposition Badagry and Lagos State for greater development, stressing that local support was critical to achieving that goal.
“We have come here to seek your support. We need your support to get there. It is through your support that we will rebuild our city. Nobody will come from outside and build it for us,” he said.

He described Badagry Division as “the future of Nigeria,” insisting that the area was not marginalised but only awaiting its moment to assume a leading role in the governance of the state.

“We are not being marginalised; we are waiting for our time. Now it is our time to take over the state and, by God’s grace, the oracle will speak in our favour. This is an opportunity for Badagry, and we must explore it. We should stay united to achieve our objectives,” Ajose added.

The APC governorship aspirant also said his political activities were aligned with efforts to secure the re-election of President Bola Tinubu in 2027, noting that development must start from the grassroots.
“We have promised that Badagry will not be going to Lagos to collect money, but that money will be coming to Lagos from here. We have started this by providing assistance to all the 57 LGAs and LCDAs during the local government elections and other engagements,” he said.
Ajose commended President Tinubu for what he described as massive development policies, arguing that improved federal allocations to states had strengthened governance at the sub-national level.

“We have seen what our President is doing with these massive developments and policies. Governors and states are earning more in allocations, which is why many governors are decamping to the APC. Everyone is seeing the work the President is doing; that is why they are moving to the APC. President Tinubu is sure for 2027,” he said.

He also urged residents of Badagry Division to take advantage of the ongoing APC electronic registration exercise, saying robust party membership was key to winning future elections.

“Party registration is very important. In Lagos alone, we have over six million voters, but with the current APC e-registration, the party is yet to register one million members. If the APC is to win convincingly, we must go out and convince others to register with the party,” Ajose stated.
Speaking earlier, an APC apex leader in Badagry-West LCDA, Hon. Joseph Bamgbose, said the meeting was organised to enable the aspirant familiarise himself with party leaders across the 10 councils in the division.

Bamgbose urged the people of Badagry to unite and work collectively to ensure Ajose emerges as governor, describing the moment as significant for the division.
“This is the right time for Badagry to claim its rightful position after so many years,” he said.

Also speaking, the Oniworo of Iworo Kingdom, Oba Oladele Kosoko (Ogundeyi), said Ajose’s emergence as an APC aspirant from Badagry presented a rare opportunity for the area, urging residents to remain united and focused.

An APC chieftain from Ikorodu Division also advised the people of Badagry to support Ajose, disclosing that APC leaders in Ikorodu had agreed to work with him to realise his ambition.

Political leaders from across the four divisions of Lagos State, alongside representatives from Badagry Division, were in attendance at the meeting.