By Daniel Oluwatobiloba Popoola
Traditional rulers in Badagry Division have intensified the push for political inclusion in Lagos State, declaring that the division must be considered for the governorship seat in the 2027 election, as it remains the only division yet to produce a Governor since the state was created in 1967.
The monarchs made the demand on Monday, 23 March, 2026, during a press conference held at Badagry City Hall, where they addressed journalists, political leaders and members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), stating that the call was driven by the need for fairness, equity and political balance in the state.
The event brought together royal fathers, party stakeholders and community leaders from Badagry and neighbouring communities to present a unified position on the 2027 governorship contest and to reaffirm support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Speaking on behalf of the traditional rulers, the Akweno of Kweme Kingdom, Dr. Oba Olalekan Sejuro Ogungbe James, said the briefing was convened to end what he described as a long-standing culture of silence over the political future of Badagry Division.
He noted that the royal fathers were speaking as custodians of the history, culture and tradition of their people, stressing that Badagry had played a foundational role in the development of Lagos State and Nigeria.
He explained that long before the emergence of modern Lagos, Badagry served as a gateway of international commerce, diplomacy and culture, linking present-day Nigeria to the West African sub-region and the wider world.
He added that the division remains a strategic corridor connecting Nigeria to the Republic of Benin and the ECOWAS region through the Lagos-Badagry economic axis, with significant potential for trade, tourism and logistics.
The Monarch, however, expressed concern that despite its historical and economic relevance, Badagry Division had not been fairly represented in the leadership structure of the state.
He pointed out that since the creation of Lagos State in 1967, other divisions: Epe, Ikorodu, Ikeja and Lagos Island had produced military or civilian Governors, while Badagry had not.
“Since the creation of Lagos State in 1967, Badagry Federation has never produced a Governor. Not once. Yet Badagry has always stood with the progressive movement and has consistently delivered overwhelming electoral support,” he said.
The traditional rulers also commended President Bola Tinubu for what they described as his commitment to justice, fairness and democratic values, recalling his role in the struggle against military rule and his support for democratic institutions.
They added that his leadership under the Renewed Hope Agenda reflected institutional balance, citing reforms such as the student loan scheme, subsidy removal, improved oil production, increased external reserves, local government autonomy, agricultural funding and major infrastructure projects, including the Sokoto–Badagry Highway and the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway.
Furthermore, the monarchs said Badagry had remained loyal to the progressive movement from the days of the Alliance for Democracy to the Action Congress, Action Congress of Nigeria and now the APC, noting that the division had consistently delivered strong electoral results, including during the 2023 general elections.
They also highlighted the contributions of a Badagry indigene, Mr. Samuel Mawuyon Ajose, whom they described as a committed party supporter who had provided logistics, funding and mobilisation support for party structures across the 20 local government 37 local council development areas of Lagos State. According to them, his activities demonstrated the capacity and readiness of the division to produce competent leadership.
Responding to questions from journalists on whether the demand conflicted with existing political zoning based on senatorial districts, the Ogundeyi I of Iworo Kingdom, Oba Oladele Kosoko, clarified that the agitation was based on the historical division structure of Lagos State rather than senatorial arrangements.
“There is a difference between division and senatorial district. We have five divisions in Lagos State but three senatorial districts. What we are saying is that the governorship slot has rotated, yet Badagry Division has never had the opportunity,” he said.
He added that the request was not a protest but a call for justice, insisting that the division deserved consideration in the interest of fairness and inclusiveness.
Also speaking, Chairman of the SMA Movement in Lagos State, Dr. Babatunde Olayide Nsirako, defended the suitability of Mr. Ajose, saying he had been actively involved in party activities for decades despite not contesting elective office.
“He is not new in the political terrain of Lagos State. For years, he has contributed to elections, party programmes and mobilisation across the state. His support cuts across all 20 LGs and 37 LCDAs and he has consistently strengthened the party structure,” he said.
Nsirako further argued that Badagry remained one of the least developed areas in Lagos despite its long history, describing the division as a gold mine yet to be tapped. He expressed confidence that giving the governorship slot to the division would unlock its economic potential and accelerate development.
“Badagry has been part of the system for decades, yet it remains underdeveloped. This is the time of Badagry. Given the opportunity, the division has the capacity to transform not only itself but Lagos State as a whole,” he said.
The traditional rulers therefore appealed to President Tinubu, the leadership of the APC and other stakeholders to consider zoning the 2027 governorship ticket to Badagry Division, insisting that the demand was based on inclusion, equity and justice.
“This is not division. This is inclusion. This is not sentiment. This is justice. History is watching. Badagry Lokan,” the monarchs declared.
