Badagry monarchs demand zoning of Lagos 2027 governorship to division
By Raymond Mordi, Deputy Political Editor Traditional rulers from Badagry Division have formally called for the zoning of the Lagos State governorship to the area in the 2027 election, citing
By Raymond Mordi, Deputy Political Editor
Traditional rulers from Badagry Division have formally called for the zoning of the Lagos State governorship to the area in the 2027 election, citing historical contributions, political loyalty and what they described as decades of exclusion from the state’s top leadership.
The demand was made at a news conference yesterday addressed by royal fathers and community leaders from the division, led by Dr Olalekan James, the Akweno of Kweme Kingdom, Badagry.
Addressing reporters, the monarchs framed their request as a matter of fairness, equity and inclusion rather than agitation, stressing that Badagry remains the only one of Lagos State’s five traditional divisions yet to produce a governor since the state’s creation in 1967.
“Badagry Division remains the only one among the five divisions in Lagos State yet to produce a governor. All other divisions—Epe, Ikorodu, Ikeja, and Lagos Island—have had the opportunity,” the royal fathers said.
They described the gathering as “a moment of political reflection” and a necessary intervention to end what they termed a “culture of unprofitable silence” over the political marginalisation of the division.
The monarchs highlighted Badagry’s historic role as a gateway for commerce, diplomacy, and cultural exchange long before the emergence of modern Lagos, noting that the town connected Nigeria to Europe and the wider West African sub-region.
They added that the division still occupies a strategic position as Nigeria’s corridor to the Republic of Benin and the ECOWAS region, with significant economic potential tied to infrastructure such as the Lagos-Badagry Expressway.
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“Our heritage is rich. Our contributions are undeniable. And our relevance remains critical to the future of Lagos State,” the statement read.
The traditional rulers also underscored Badagry’s longstanding support for progressive politics, noting that from the Alliance for Democracy (AD) through the Action Congress (AC) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), the division has consistently delivered strong electoral returns.
According to them, Badagry has maintained an average of 90 per cent support for the progressive bloc and ranked among the top-performing divisions in the 2023 general election.
“Badagry has always stood with the progressive movement. Badagry has always delivered,” they said.
A prominent businessman and political figure from the ancient town, Samuel Mawuyon Ajose, has been chosen as Badagry’s consensus candidate for the APC governorship ticket. They said Ajose have made contributions to the APC by supporting party structures, electoral logistics, grassroots mobilisation and advocacy efforts across Lagos and the Southwest.
The monarchs used the occasion to commend President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his democratic credentials and leadership, praising his role in the pro-democracy struggle and recent policy initiatives under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
They cited reforms such as the student loan scheme, the removal of fuel subsidies, revenue growth, and infrastructure development as evidence of Tinubu’s commitment to fairness and institutional progress.
Against this backdrop, they appealed directly to the President, the APC leadership, and other stakeholders to consider zoning the 2027 governorship to Badagry.
“We respectfully but firmly call for positive consideration for Badagry Federation… to uphold equity and fair play, and to give due and favourable consideration to the zoning of the governorship of Lagos State to Badagry Division come 2027,” they said.
Central to their message was the slogan “Badagry Lokan” (It is Badagry’s turn), which they described as a call for justice, inclusion, and balance in the state’s political arrangement.
They said zoning the ticket to Badagry is a way of rewarding the town’s contributions to the country’s development. “This is not a division. This is inclusion. This is not sentiment. This is justice,” the monarchs declared.
They concluded by urging political leaders to heed their appeal, warning that history would judge decisions made ahead of the 2027 election.
“Badagry has waited. Badagry has contributed. Badagry has persevered and sacrificed. Badagry is ready,” they said.
