By Peter Dansu A heated political debate has erupted in Badagry Constituency II following a controversial Facebook post by Prince Samuel Ma...
By Peter Dansu
A heated political debate has erupted in Badagry Constituency II following a controversial Facebook post by Prince Samuel Mawutin Ofade, a community figure, criticizing Hon. (Engr.) Setonji David, the Deputy Chief Whip of the Lagos State House of Assembly, over his alleged bid for a fourth term and rumored Speakership ambition.
The post published by Citymood Badagry accused Hon. Setonji David of self-serving politics, questioned the value of longevity in office, and urged constituents to demand tangible projects rather than political titles. Ofade praised the performance of some first-term legislators in other constituencies, insisting that time spent in office does not automatically translate into effective representation.
Mr. Ofade is a known fierce critic of political office holders in Badagry, especially those he feels are not doing things his way. He recently attacked the House of Representatives member for Badagry Federal Constituency, Hon. Sesi Oluwaseun Whingan, accusing him not specifically of legislative failure, but on issues of empowerment and so called stomach infrastructure for constituents.
However, the commentary against Engr. Setonji David did not go unanswered.
In a strongly worded response that has since gained traction across Badagry political circles, Prince Semako Babatunde Kuwande, a former APC aspirant in Badagry Constituency II and now a legal practitioner, publicly challenged Ofade’s position, describing it as troubling, potentially misleading, and deserving of scrutiny.
Kuwande began by acknowledging Ofade’s pedigree, describing him as more than a casual commentator. He reminded the public that Ofade once served as Party Chairman of the defunct National Republican Convention during a period that produced several enduring political leaders across the Badagry Federation.
“For this reason alone, his statement deserves attention and cannot be casually dismissed,” Kuwande noted, before expressing what he called deep respect mixed with sincere disappointment.
At the heart of Kuwande’s response was a pointed question many observers are now asking: was Ofade’s commentary a genuine call for accountability, or a subtle attempt to undermine Hon. Setonji David’s political standing ahead of 2027?
He argued that when Setonji David’s three term record is objectively examined, it tells a different story from the one painted by his critics. According to Kuwande, the lawmaker has facilitated youth employment, strengthened Badagry’s footprint within the Lagos State public sector, and helped consolidate the constituency’s relevance in the state’s political structure.
Kuwande also dismissed claims that Setonji David’s leadership rise was self driven or ceremonial, stressing that no one votes a legislator into the position of Deputy Chief Whip.
“That responsibility was earned through track record, competence, political sagacity, and qualification,” he stated.
On the allegation that Setonji David’s fourth term ambition is tied to a Speakership agenda, Kuwande threw down a direct challenge, asking Ofade to present verifiable evidence rather than speculative claims. He warned against raising alarms that cannot be substantiated or responsibly managed.
Drawing from history, Kuwande recalled how a former Honourable Commissioner from Badagry was once vehemently opposed during a fifth term bid as an Assembly member, an opposition that nearly ended a career that later proved pivotal to the entire federation.
“But for divine intervention and political dexterity,” he noted, “one of Badagry’s most formidable political figures would have been prematurely consigned to political retirement.”
Kuwande further questioned the authority of any individual to position himself as the final interpreter of APC’s collective will or the oracle of the 2027 election outcomes. He maintained that contesting for another term, whether fourth or fifth, remains the constitutional right of Hon. Setonji David, subject only to democratic processes.
“If he chooses to contest again, he will be supported or opposed through due political channels,” he said.
He also cautioned against sectional or clan based politics, noting that democracy thrives on openness, debate, and accountability, not intimidation or preemptive verdicts.
Declaring his stance unequivocally, Kuwande said he stands for continuity, competence, and effective representation, even if it means supporting a seventh term agenda.
“Badagry deserves a permanent inscription on the political wall of Lagos State, not a culture of internal sabotage or pull him down syndrome,” he warned.
The exchange has further intensified an already charged conversation in Badagry, with party members, commentators, and residents weighing in on issues of accountability, performance, ambition, and political loyalty. While some agree with Ofade’s call for measurable results, others believe the tone and timing of his criticism risk deepening internal divisions within the APC.
As 2027 approaches, observers say the growing debate underscores one reality: Badagry politics is entering a decisive phase where records, not rhetoric, may ultimately determine the verdict of the people.
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