By: Manoah Kikekon
AJARA, BADAGRY – Tension is mounting within the Badagry Local Government Secretariat in Ajara following the controversial eviction of Lagos State Neighborhood Safety Corps (LNSC) personnel and the immediate sealing of their administrative office. The directive was reportedly issued personally by the Executive Chairman of the council, Hon. Babatunde Adande Hunpe.
The incident, which leaked to the public via a viral video circulating on social media, on Monday as sparked intense debate over the weaponization of local government infrastructure for political retaliation following the highly contentious APC primary elections.
In the footage captured at the local government secretariat, Hon. Babatunde Hunpe could be seen angrily confronting security officials. The chairman insisted that his administration maintains a strict non-partisan stance and demanded that the state-backed neighborhood watchmen vacate the premises immediately.
“All Neighborhood Watch people should go out and look for their own place where they can use their power,” Hunpe was heard declaring in the video.
Defending his heavy-handed directive, the chairman implied that the actions of certain security personnel were actively threatening the peace and stability of the local government area during a volatile election cycle.
“We are in an electioneering period. I am in charge, and the security of the local government is very, very important. I cannot close my eyes and see somebody destroy what I am doing," Hunpe stated during the confrontation. "I am not partisan, and I have warned everyone around me.”
Despite the chairman’s public insistence on neutrality, insider sources within the secretariat suggest a entirely different motivation. Allegations have emerged from local personnel claiming that the eviction is a direct act of political retribution targeted at the LNSC Commanding Officer, Zannu Samson T.
The commanding officer is alleged to have quietly mobilised grassroots support for a rival aspirant during the fiercely contested APC House of Representatives primary election for the Badagry Federal Constituency a race that split the local political structure between camps loyal to Prince Sesi Whingan and Hon. Olusegun Onilude.
By backing an opposing faction, local power brokers reportedly viewed the security chief’s actions as an act of political sabotage against the dominant local government machinery.
When media correspondents reached out to the affected LNSC Commanding Officer, Zannu Samson T., to confirm whether the eviction was an act of political victimization, he declined to elaborate on the details of the viral video.
“The matter has been resolved internally, and I cannot say anything more on the issue at this time,” Zannu stated in a brief telephone interview.