By: Saheed Jinodu
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The All Progressives Congress (APC) in the Badagry Federation has officially inaugurated its Campaign Council, with party leaders expressing strong confidence in their ability to improve the party’s electoral performance in forthcoming elections across Lagos State.
The inauguration took place on Thursday in Badagry, drawing key political stakeholders, local leaders, and party faithful from across the three local council areas comprising the federation: Badagry Local Government, Badagry West Local Council Development Area (LCDA), and Olorunda LCDA.
Speaking at the event, the Executive Chairman of Badagry Local Government, Hon. Babatunde Hunpe Adande, described the inauguration as an important step towards strengthening the party’s campaign structure and mobilising support at the grassroots.
Hon. Hunpe expressed optimism about the party’s prospects, attributing the renewed enthusiasm among members to the emergence of Princess Damilola James as a deputy governorship aspirant. He noted that the development had further encouraged party members to demonstrate their total support through the ballot box.
“Badagry Federation came second previously, but this time around, we are aiming for the first position,” Hunpe stated.
He added that the people of Badagry were proud of the opportunity presented by the deputy governorship aspiration, noting that the community hoped to reciprocate the gesture through massive voter turnout and increased electoral support for the party.
The council chairman also emphasized the vital need for infrastructural development and economic growth in Badagry, highlighting the region's strategic importance to the overall progress of Lagos State.
“Badagry is the new Lagos, and we are proud of our daughter. We want our people to develop because when they develop, our economic activities will also improve,” he said.
Also speaking at the ceremony, the Chairman of Olorunda LCDA, Hon. Samson Kumayon Ajose, stated that the inauguration demonstrated the federation’s total commitment to mobilising party members and supporters ahead of the polls.
Hon. Ajose expressed confidence that the party would record superior electoral results compared to past performances.
“Badagry Federation is telling the entire Lagos State that we are going to mobilise our members to come out in large numbers to vote for the party,” Ajose asserted.
He added that the federation intended to demonstrate deep appreciation for the recognition given to the zone through active political participation. Furthermore, Ajose called for greater investment in Badagry’s rich tourism and cultural potential, urging both state and federal governments to support strategic infrastructure initiatives.
“Investment in Badagry's tourism, culture, and infrastructure could contribute significantly to the economic growth of Lagos State,” he noted.
In his remarks, the Chairman of Badagry West LCDA, Hon. Rauf Rikay, reaffirmed his unalloyed support for the APC leadership and highlighted the economic policy direction of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Rikay referenced President Tinubu’s transformative tenure as governor of Lagos State, particularly his revenue-generation strategies, while appealing to Nigerians to exercise patience during the implementation of current national economic reforms.
“I want to assure us that it is a gradual process. Since Asiwaju has fought to remove the subsidy, everything will definitely come back to its rightful position,” Rikay stated.
Speaking from the perspective of Badagry West, a crucial international border region, Rikay acknowledged the economic challenges faced by residents and reiterated the need for patience while the national economy stabilizes.
The campaign council inauguration attracted an array of top political officeholders, community leaders, and party dignitaries, including, Hon. Mobolaji Ogunlende (Lagos State Commissioner for Youth and Social Development), the Chairman Badagry Federation APC Campaign Council, Hon. Avoseh Suuru Hodewu, Hon. Joseph Gbenu, Hon. Onilude, Hon. Oluwaseun Sesi Whigan, Hon. Solomon Saanu Bonu, and Hon. Akeem (Vice Chairman)
The inauguration successfully united APC leaders and supporters across the Badagry Federation, marking a major milestone in the party's strategic preparation to consolidate its grassroots support base ahead of upcoming electoral contests.