By: Daniel Dovoeke
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| Prof. Paul-Sewa Thovoethin and Ibrahim Rauf |
BADAGRY, LAGOS, Prof. Paul-Sewa Thovoethin, a distinguished Professor of Political Science at Lagos State University (LASU), has continued a strategic tour across the Badagry division in a bid to build a formidable grassroots support for the Badagry for Governor agenda an initiative advocating for a native of Badagry to emerge as the next Governor of Lagos State.
As part of this ongoing effort, Prof. Thovoethin on Wednesday visited Hon. Ibrahim Rauf, the Executive Chairman of Badagry West Local Council Development Area (LCDA). The meeting, held at the council secretariat, marked his third consultation with council chairmen within the Badagry Federation an intentional grassroots-first strategy aimed at consolidating local political support.
In his remarks, Prof. Thovoethin outlined the strategic vision behind the movement, emphasizing the importance of starting from the base.
“We have all the right considerations by every indices and every argument one could present,” he said. “Some years back, we were neither strategic nor tactical. But now, we want to engage, counter-engage, and act deliberately. Before we move forward, we must begin with local government chairmen and traditional rulers, as they are crucial to this agenda.”
He also linked the renewed momentum to recent political developments, particularly the gubernatorial ambition of Hon. Samuel Ajose, an indigene of Badagry, who Prof. Thovoethin said has automatically keyed in the agenda, and he further encouraged more Badagry indigenes to show interest "the merrier the better," he said.
In response, Chairman Ibrahim Rauf commended the initiative and pledged his support, highlighting the longstanding developmental neglect of the Badagry Federation.
“I’m happy that Samuel Ajose came out. If this can be actualised, it would be a blessing for us,” Rauf stated. “It will bring much-needed development to Badagry, which has remained stagnant for far too long.” He equally made a remark for any contender within Badagry federation.
Rauf also stressed the need for sustained strategy and political engagement to ensure the movement stands a viable chance against contenders from other parts of Lagos.
The Badagry for Governor 2027 movement is rapidly gaining momentum, with growing institutional backing from grassroots leaders. The initiative reflects a deepening sentiment within the division for stronger political representation at the highest level of state governance.