By: Manoah Kikekon
BADAGRY, LAGOS – Mateju Agba Mole Base of Iragon-Thogli (Ward I) officially endorsed Hon. Olusegun Adeniran Onilude for the House of Representatives in the upcoming 2027 elections.
The endorsement took place on Friday during a community square gathering, where hundreds of residents expressed their frustration with years of perceived neglect and voiced their hope for a "louder, more proactive voice" in the National Assembly.
As part of the event food palliatives was distributed to the residents present at the gathering.
In a heartfelt request read during the event, community leaders highlighted the stark realities facing the Iragon-Thogli axis. The residents lamented decades of infrastructural decay, noting that the community has not seen a significant political appointment since the 1980s.
"God and nature planned our destinies, but our environmental challenges have edited most of them," the community statement read.
The residents presented a 5-point Charter of Demands to Hon. Onilude, focusing on:
1. Education: Curbing truancy and providing scholarships for indigent students.
2. Youth Inclusiveness: Sponsoring bills for digital jobs and SME grants.
3. Infrastructure: Collaborating with state authorities for clean water, electricity, and functional health centres.
4. Accountability: Establishing quarterly town hall meetings for feedback.
5. Agriculture: Enhancing productivity for local farmers the backbone of the Badagry economy.
Hon. Segun Onilude, the current Executive Chairman of Badagry Local Government, addressed the crowd with characteristic candour. While acknowledging that some requests fall under executive rather than legislative powers, he pledged to use his political leverage to bridge the gap.
"I will take your cry to the executive chairman and apply the necessary pressure to ensure these issues are addressed," Onilude promised. He also lauded the Direct Primary system, describing it as the purest form of democracy where every party member has a say in their representation.
The endorsement comes amidst growing dissatisfaction with the incumbent representation.
Noah Sedowhe, President of the Mateju Agba Mole Base, noted that while the current representative has made efforts, they have not been sufficient to meet the division's deep-seated needs.
"Our leaders in the APC from this community have often been selfish," Sedowhe stated. "We cannot afford to put all our eggs in one basket. We need an alternative that delivers."
Mr. Jelili Sewanu from Igborosun recalled Onilude’s track record as a local government chairman, specifically citing his project to build public utilities in Ward I as evidence of his commitment to the grassroots.
Mr. Vincent Ogun closed the event by urging the youth to move beyond passive observation. He emphasised that active political participation is the only way for the younger generation to ensure they are part of the decision-making process for the future of Badagry.