By Our Reporter
Ahead of 2027 General Elections, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has been assured of 10 million votes in Lagos State by the Samuel Mawuyon Ajose Movement (SMA), with half of the votes expected to come from religious groups, including members of the Celestial Church of Christ.
The Convener of the movement, Dr. Samuel Mawuyon Ajose, and a governorship hopeful on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) gave the assurance on Wednesday during the formal declaration of his intention to contest the 2027 Lagos governorship election, as well as the mobilisation of support for President Tinubu’s re-election.
The governorship aspirant appealed to APC leadership to give Badagry Division the opportunity to produce the next governor of Lagos State, noting that the area had qualified citizens with vast experience to lead the state.
Addressing a mammoth crowd of party members drawn from various Local Governments (LGs) and Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) in the state, Ajose said he would maximise the enormous economic potential deposited in Badagry for the overall benefit of Lagos residents.
He described his aspiration as a continuation of the progressive legacy that had shaped Lagos for decades, while promising to bring fresh ideas and renewed energy to governance.
Ajose said his vision for Lagos aligned with the "Renewed Hope" agenda of President Tinubu and aims to accelerate development while improving the quality of life for residents.
“I declare my intention to seek the gubernatorial ticket of our great party, the APC, and ultimately to serve as the next Governor of Lagos State," he said.
The governorship hopeful, while outlining his policy priorities, identified housing, transportation, education and healthcare as the four cardinal pillars of his agenda.
On housing, Ajose promised to pursue affordable and sustainable housing solutions through public-private partnerships, innovative financing models and improved urban planning.
The APC chieftain also pledged to expand Lagos’ multi-modal transportation system by strengthening road networks, expanding Bus Rapid Transit corridors, investing in rail development and improving water transportation services.
He emphasised the importance of education, particularly girl-child education, while promising investments in modern learning infrastructure, teacher development, digital learning and vocational training.
In the health sector, Ajose said his administration would aim to achieve universal health coverage by strengthening primary healthcare systems, upgrading public health facilities and promoting preventive healthcare programmes.
Beyond these pillars, Ajose pledged to align Lagos’ development agenda with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, noting that the 2030 global target deadline is approaching.
He also announced plans to lift at least two million residents out of poverty within four years through investments in small and medium enterprises, agricultural value chains, technology hubs and vocational training initiatives.
Ajose, however, called on members and leaders of the APC to support his aspiration ahead of the party’s governorship primary election.
"I stand before you not just as an aspirant but as a loyal member of this great party. I humbly seek your support and your mandate to emerge as the APC flag bearer," he said.
While urging party faithful to unite in building a more resilient, prosperous and equitable Lagos State, pledged to run an inclusive administration that would serve all residents of Lagos regardless of ethnicity, religion or political affiliation.
"Let us unite not just in aspiration but in action to build a Lagos that is smarter, stronger and more prosperous for generations to come," he said.
The Lagos APC Chairman, Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi, in his remarks, commended Ajose for mobilising support for President Tinubu and the party, noting that 2027 was fast approaching and, therefore, the time to galvanise supporters is now.
Ojelabi, who represented by the Deputy Chairman of APC in Lagos State, Mr. Moshood Mayegun, urged party members to keep their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) safe and ready for the forthcoming elections.
He also declared that the party would not hesitate to support Dr. Ajose when the time comes.
Also speaking, a former member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Rafikat Onabamiro, said that if given the opportunity, Ajose would run an inclusive government with laudable programmes for women, youths and the elderly.
The former lawmaker described the massive turnout at the event as only a glimpse of what lies ahead, adding that the aspirant was ready to take Lagos to the next level.
The Youth Leader in Badagry, David Sunday, who also spoke at the event, declared that the future belongs to the younger generation and that Badagry is already building a Renewed Hope movement around the SMA platform.
The youth leader charged youths to unite in building a better future, stressing that they had a vital role to play in politics as, according to him, their voices are powerful and their participation will determine the direction of the state.
Earlier in his address, the Director-General of the SMA Movement, Biodun Coker, said the group had already begun strategic mobilisation across Lagos State, saying that "the effort many of you witnessed during the recent APC membership registration exercise was only a small glimpse of what is to come."
"I am pleased to state that Dr. Samuel Mawuyon Ajose has made a firm commitment to work with all stakeholders across communities, wards and local governments to ensure that no stone is left unturned in mobilising support for our party and our candidates.
"The effort many of you witnessed during the recent APC membership registration exercise was only a small glimpse of what is to come. The mobilisation that will take place across Lagos State in the coming months will be massive, coordinated and strategic.
“By the grace of God, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu will secure a resounding re-election victory nationally, and Samuel Mawuyon Ajose will lead Lagos forward in a way that has never been seen before. Together, we will ensure that Lagos remains the stronghold of progressive leadership and the heartbeat of Renewed Hope in Nigeria,” he assured.
At the end of the event, organisers disclosed that 24,750 people were registered, with their telephone contacts captured to facilitate door-to-door mobilisation and campaign activities for both President Tinubu and Dr. Samuel Mawuyon Ajose ahead of the 2027 General Elections.
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