By: Manoah Kikekon
BADAGRY, LAGOS — The political landscape of Badagry Constituency 2 witnessed a significant shift on Friday, May 1, 2026, as hundreds of youths of Badagry Constituency Ii gathered to formally endorse and mobilize for Hunja Owolabani, a prominent legal practitioner and APC aspirant for the Lagos State House of Assembly.
The endorsement rally, held in the heart of Ajara, was characterized by high energy and a "youth-first" agenda, with supporters calling for a transition from career politicians to qualified professionals who understand the intricacies of lawmaking.
Addressing the crowd after successfully picking up his expression of interest and nomination forms valued at over N6 million Hunja Owolabani shared the hurdles his team has faced since declaring his ambition.
"Since we showed interest, there has been a lot of intimidation and pressure, but we are determined to make an impact and set a legacy for fellow youths," Owolabani stated. "People asked how we would find the funds for the form, but by God’s grace, we secured it today. This is to let every young person know there is nothing they cannot achieve."
Owolabani, who has spent a decade serving in the Lagos State Ministry of Justice, emphasized that his 10-year experience in the administration of justice makes him the most technically prepared candidate for a legislative role.
"Assembly is about lawmaking. As a civil legal practitioner, I have impacted the administration of justice in Lagos for years. If given this mandate, we won’t disappoint. Badagry has been behind for too long; the sky is just our beginning," he added.
Despite the momentum, the campaign team maintained a respectful stance toward the All Progressives Congress (APC) leadership. Arowoka Mesitode, the Director General of the Hunja Owolabani Campaign Group, noted that while they are ready for a credible selection process, they remain loyal party members.
"We are not against the decisions of the party. We are ready for free, fair, and credible selections," Mesitode said. "Whether the party calls for a consensus for or against us, we will be glad, but we insist that the most qualified and credible person for this task is Hunja."
The call for a generational power shift was a recurring theme at the event. Semako Gbesuevi, a member of the organizing committee, argued that the legislative arm requires vibrant minds who understand modern bill-drafting that directly benefits the grassroots.
"Our young people must not let older politicians mortgage our future," Gbesuevi remarked. "When someone has spent 12 years in office and is approaching over 70 years of age, I think it is clearly time for the youths to take over. We need someone like Hunja who knows exactly what kind of bills will benefit the people of Badagry."