IKEJA, LAGOS — The political landscape in Lagos State witnessed a massive shift on Sunday as Dr. Samuel Mawuyon Ajose, leader of the SMA Movement, mobilized thousands of executives for a high-powered statewide General Assembly in Ikeja.
The gathering, which featured a sea of coordinators from all 57 LGA/LCDAs and 376 wards, served as a dual-purpose strategic launch: solidifying grassroots support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s 2027 re-election and formalizing Dr. Ajose’s bid for the Lagos State governorship.
Addressing the sea of executives, Dr. Ajose emphasized that the movement is built on a foundation of absolute loyalty to the All Progressives Congress (APC). He urged his lieutenants to return to their respective wards and intensify canvassing efforts immediately.
“We are in this game to win. As we are winning for Mr. President, we are also winning for SMA,” Ajose declared to a cheering crowd. “What you see here today is just the leadership core. When we mobilize the full strength of our supporters across the state, the world will know the SMA Movement is ready.”
In a move that resonated deeply with supporters from Lagos West, Dr. Ajose framed his governorship ambition as a matter of historical fairness. He pointed out that since the creation of Lagos State in 1967, the Badagry Division has yet to produce a Governor.
Drawing a parallel to President Tinubu’s famous "Emi Lokan" (It is my turn) declaration ahead of the 2023 primaries, Ajose asserted that Badagry is now ready to take its place at the helm of the state's affairs.
“We are making a declaration today that it is the turn of Badagry,” he stated. “We have the capacity, we have the numbers, and we have the loyalty to the party to deliver strong electoral results.”
Despite the bold "Badagry First" stance, Dr. Ajose remained firm on his commitment to party supremacy. He assured the assembly that while he is confident of securing the APC ticket, the movement remains a disciplined wing of the party.
Ward leaders were instructed to begin door-to-door engagement. The SMA Movement has successfully mirrored the state's political map to ensure total coverage. The movement reiterated that its primary goal is to ensure President Tinubu returns to Aso Rock with a landslide victory in Lagos.