Traditional rulers and political stakeholders from Badagry Division in Lagos State have called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to cede the state’s 2027 governorship ticket to the division, citing decades of political exclusion despite consistent loyalty to the progressive bloc.
The demand, presented at a press conference led by Dr. Oba Olalekan Sejuro Ogungbe James, was framed as a push for equity rather than agitation, with the monarchs insisting it is a necessary step to correct what they described as a long-standing imbalance in Lagos’ political structure.
Addressing journalists, the royal fathers maintained that their appeal was grounded in fairness, noting that since Lagos State was created in 1967, Badagry remains the only one among the five historical divisions—alongside Epe, Ikorodu, Ikeja and Lagos Island—yet to produce a governor, whether under military or civilian rule.
They stressed that the move was “not an act of agitation but a collective appeal for fairness, inclusivity and equitable participation,” adding that the call aligns with democratic ideals of balanced representation.
The monarchs highlighted Badagry’s historical significance as a centre of trade, diplomacy and cultural exchange, describing it as a gateway that connected Nigeria to the West African sub-region and beyond. They also pointed to its present-day strategic importance along the Lagos-Badagry corridor, which serves as a key economic route linking Nigeria with neighbouring countries.
According to them, the division’s expanding potential in tourism, logistics and cross-border commerce further strengthens its case for inclusion at the highest level of governance in the state.
They also “Badagry connected what is now known as Nigeria not only to the West African sub-region but to the wider world. It facilitated early international trade with Europe and enabled cross-border exchanges across West Africa. Even today, Badagry remains a strategic corridor, linking Nigeria to the Republic of Benin and the broader ECOWAS region. It sits at the heart of key economic routes, including the Lagos-Badagry Expressway axis, and holds immense potential for logistics, tourism, and regional economic growth”, the statement partly reads.
They also acknowledged Tinubu’s leadership, commending his role in the pro-democracy struggle and his interventions in past political crises, which they said reflect a commitment to justice and constitutional order. The chiefs referenced reforms under his administration, including student loan schemes, fiscal restructuring, improved oil production and infrastructure development, as indicators of governance driven by institutional balance.
Reaffirming their political alignment, the monarchs traced Badagry’s support from the Alliance for Democracy (AD) to the Action Congress (AC) and now the APC, noting that the division has consistently delivered strong electoral results, particularly in the 2023 general elections.
“Since its evolution from Alliance for Democracy (AD) in 1998, to Action Congress (AC) in 2006, and now the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2013, Badagry Division has consistently delivered an average of 90% electoral support for the progressive movement.”
Rallying behind the slogan “Badagry Lokan,” they described their position as a demand for justice and inclusion, arguing that decades of contribution without corresponding representation at the top must be addressed.
They added that conceding the governorship ticket to Badagry would strengthen unity, deepen democratic values and promote inclusive governance across Lagos State.
In his remarks, the Ogundeyi I of Iworo Kingdom, Oba Oladele Kosoko, described Badagry as one of the state’s oldest and most significant cities, explaining that the briefing was aimed at drawing attention to the division’s political concerns beyond sentiments.
