Former Lagos State governorship aspirant of the All Progressives Congress(APC), Samuel Mawuyon Ajose, popularly known as SMA Gold, has rallied party leaders, candidates, aspirants and stakeholders in the Badagry ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The meeting brought together traditional rulers and political leaders to discuss reconciliation, unity and the need for members of the party to work together ahead of the elections.

The gathering was part of efforts to address internal disagreements within the APC in Badagry after the primaries and strengthen the party ahead of the 2027 elections.

Ajose, who previously contested the APC governorship primary in Lagos State, stepped down from the race in May and backed the emergence of the Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Obafemi Hamzat, as the party’s candidate.

Ajose subsequently explained that he accepted the position of the party leadership in the interest of peace, unity and early preparations for the 2027 election.

The former aspirant has since shifted his attention to reconciliation and mobilisation within the Badagry Federation, with particular emphasis on bringing political stakeholders together.

The development comes against the backdrop of disagreements among political actors in the division, with stakeholders expressing concerns about the effect of the division on Badagry’s political strength and bargaining power.

He said the meeting was a deliberate effort to bring all sides together, stressing that the outcome of the 2027 election would depend largely on the ability of everyone to put past differences behind them.

He said: “What brought us here is not to revisit the issues that divided us, but to find a way forward. Elections will come and go, but the strength of Badagry depends on our ability to work together. We must learn from what happened during the primaries, reconcile our differences and build a stronger political family.

“Badagry has the people, the leadership and the political strength to make a difference, but we cannot achieve that if we continue to work at cross-purposes. This meeting is therefore a new beginning — an opportunity for us to rebuild trust, close ranks and approach 2027 as one united family.”

Speaking at the three-day meeting, the chairman of the committee, Hon. Saka Shenayon, said the gathering was aimed at resolving the political differences in the division.

He stated, “SMA Gold called this meeting for us to solve the political differences across Badagry so that we can stand a better chance in the next election. There is a need for us to do well now that we have a deputy governorship candidate.

“This is a chance for us to make Badagry great again. Let us come together and speak with one voice.”

In his address, the Oniworo of Iworo, Oba Oladele Kosoko, stressed the need to resolve differences among political actors in the division, urging stakeholders to put aside personal interests and work towards peace.

The monarch said, “Unity was necessary for Badagry to remain politically relevant and contribute meaningfully to the development of Lagos State.

He also urged stakeholders to begin preparations for the 2027 elections early.”

Also speaking, Aholu Henwa of Kweme Kingdom, Oba Sejiro James, urged political stakeholders to close ranks, noting that a united Badagry would be better positioned to protect its collective interests ahead of the elections.

Similarly, the Agano of Ajara-Agamathen, Aholu Agano Toniyon, called for reconciliation among the stakeholders, saying peace and unity were essential to achieving a common political objective.

Contributing, Prof. Oluwatobi Pemede, said this was the time for Badagry to move forward by coming together and demonstrating unity ahead of the coming election.

The meeting was organised by a committee inaugurated by the SMA Grassroots Movement, with representatives drawn from the Badagry Local Government Area, Olorunda Local Government Area and Badagry West Local Council Development Area.

The members are Prof. Oluwatobi Pemede, Mr. Babs Akinyanmi, Chief Oke Abayomi, Alhaja Adesina, Thomas Noah, Muhammed Lawal, Chief Toviho Emmanuel, Dr Onala Samson and Alhaja Muftiat Bajulaiye.

Those invited by the committee included Sesi Whigan, Setonji David, Solomon Bonu, Olusegun Onilude, Oladunjoye Olatunde and other political stalwarts.