By Esther Onyegbula

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Lagos State and former governorship aspirant, Mr Samuel Mawuyan Ajose, has expressed confidence that the party can secure 3.5 million votes in Lagos State in the 2027 general election, as he commenced the construction of a federation house aimed at strengthening party unity and coordination in Badagry Division.

Ajose, popularly known as “SMA Gold,” made the declaration on Sunday during the foundation-laying ceremony of the SMA Badagry Federation House in Ibereko, Badagry.

The APC stalwart said the project was conceived to provide a permanent venue where party leaders, members and stakeholders across the division could meet, deliberate and take strategic decisions on political and developmental issues.

“What we are doing today is to create an infrastructure in Badagry where everyone will converge and be able to make decisions,” Ajose said.

According to him, the federation house would be completed within two months and would serve as the headquarters for APC activities in the division.

“The building will be completed in two months and it will be a meeting point for all party activities in Badagry Division,” he said.

Ajose noted that the project was also designed to foster greater cohesion among party members and ensure a united political front.

“This is to enhance unity, so that we can speak with one voice in Badagry Division,” he added.

Speaking on the party’s electoral prospects, Ajose said the APC had the capacity to deliver 3.5 million votes in Lagos State during the next general election.

“This is not too much out of the six million registered voters in Lagos State for President Bola Tinubu and Dr Kadri Hamzat in 2027,” he said.

Also speaking, the Lagos State APC Chairman, Mr Cornelius Ojelabi, described Ajose as a committed stakeholder whose contributions had continued to strengthen the party’s structure and influence in Badagry.

Represented at the event by the Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Tolani Sule, Ojelabi commended Ajose for providing leadership, infrastructure and financial support to the party.

“SMA Gold is the focus of the moment. God is using him for the development of Badagry Division and Lagos State,” he said.

Ojelabi said the federation house would provide a permanent platform for meetings, consultations and conflict resolution among party leaders and members.

According to him, the facility will improve coordination of party activities, help resolve disputes and enhance the APC’s visibility and effectiveness across the division.

The party chairman further expressed optimism that Badagry would contribute significantly to the APC’s electoral fortunes in future elections, citing Ajose’s investments and developmental efforts in the area.

In a spiritual endorsement of the project and the party’s aspirations, the Chief Imam of Badagry Division, Abdulakeem Akewusola, led other Islamic clerics in prayers for the success of the APC in future elections.

He prayed for victory for President Tinubu, Deputy Governor Hamzat and other APC candidates in the forthcoming general election.

The foundation-laying ceremony attracted traditional rulers, party leaders, stakeholders and residents from across Badagry Division, who gathered to witness the commencement of the project expected to serve as a major political coordination centre for the APC in the area.