By Peter Dansu The quest to reconcile the various camps within the All Progressives Congress in Badagry has received a significant boost fo...
By Peter Dansu
The quest to reconcile the various camps within the All Progressives Congress in Badagry has received a significant boost following the participation of some of the party’s leading aggrieved figures in a reconciliation meeting championed by former Lagos State APC governorship aspirant and Badagry political leader, Dr Samuel Mawuyon Ajose.
The two day meeting, held on August 7 and 8 at the SMA Foundation office in Ibereko, was organised by the SMA Reconciliation Committee constituted by Ajose to address the disagreements and grievances that followed the party’s July primaries.
Among those who attended the meeting was Hon Sesi Oluwaseun Whingan, member representing Badagry Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, who has been one of the prominent aspirants dissatisfied with the outcome of the primaries.
Hon Solomon Saanu Bonu, member representing Badagry Constituency I in the Lagos State House of Assembly, also participated in the reconciliation process, while Hon Engineer Setonji David, member representing Badagry Constituency II and Deputy Chief Whip of the Lagos State House of Assembly, was represented through his campaign Director General, Hon Akin Ogunlana.
The participation of the three camps in the SMA initiative is significant, considering that Whingan, Bonu and Setonji have all raised concerns over the conduct and outcome of the July APC primaries, with each alleging that the process did not reflect their claimed victories.
The reconciliation effort is coming at a crucial time as the party begins to look towards the 2027 elections, with stakeholders increasingly concerned that unresolved grievances could weaken the APC’s political strength in Badagry.
Speaking at the meeting, Chairman of the SMA Reconciliation Committee, Hon Saka Senayon, acknowledged that disagreements were inevitable after a competitive primary but urged members to harmonise their votes and work together.
He stressed that a stronger and more united voting bloc would increase Badagry’s ability to attract political influence, development and other benefits.
The meeting also provided an opportunity for some of the aggrieved political actors to express their positions while exploring a path towards unity.
Bonu said he had moved on from the outcome of the primary and was already engaging his supporters to discourage anger and resentment.
He called for greater inclusiveness within the party and an end to violent politics, urging members to pursue their grievances through dialogue.
Representing Setonji David, Ogunlana, however, expressed reservations about the conduct of the primary and insisted that the grievances of aggrieved members should be acknowledged.
His position underscored the need for the reconciliation process to go beyond calls for unity and address the issues that triggered the disagreements in the first place.
Whingan, who personally attended the SMA reconciliation meeting, also urged party members to remain committed to the APC.
Barrister Peter Owolabi similarly pledged continued support for the party.
Traditional rulers who attended the meeting added their voices to the growing calls for peace and unity.
Oba Oladele Friday Kosovo, Oniworo of Iworo, Aholu Sejiro Olalekan James, Aholu Henwa of Kweme, and Aholu Agano Toniyon I, Aholu of Ajara Agamathen, appealed to the various political camps to exercise patience and embrace reconciliation.
Aholu Agano Toniyon I urged the different camps to bring their supporters together, stressing that a united political family would strengthen Badagry’s voting power.
Aholu Sejiro Olalekan James also appealed to political actors to support the reconciliation process and work collectively for the success of the party.
Several APC candidates and political actors attended the meeting, including Mr Olusegun Onilude and Mr Olatunde Oladunjoye. Mr Joseph Gbenu was rescheduled for a later date, while Williams Ahadji K.F., popularly known as Willy Osha, attended. Mr Olufemi Ogunsanya sent a representative.
The SMA initiative followed an earlier call by Dr Samuel Mawuyon Ajose for Badagry APC to resolve its internal differences before the matter attracts the intervention of senior party leaders in Lagos State.
However, the SMA reconciliation committee is not the only platform attempting to resolve the crisis.
The APC leadership in Badagry Federal Constituency has separately constituted another reconciliation committee, appointing Alhaji Abu Akilapa as chairman.
Whingan, Bonu and Setonji have not attended the separate reconciliation meeting held at the Badagry Local Government Secretariat, making their participation in the SMA-championed initiative particularly noteworthy.
Their attendance at the SMA meeting suggests that while serious disagreements remain over the July primaries, there is still room for dialogue and engagement if the reconciliation process is handled with sincerity.
The central challenge now is whether the different reconciliation efforts can eventually converge into a broader process capable of addressing the grievances of the various camps.
For Badagry APC, the road to 2027 may depend largely on how effectively the party resolves the wounds created by the 2026 primaries.
The question is no longer whether reconciliation is necessary. The bigger question is whether the party can turn these meetings into genuine political healing, rebuild trust among the competing camps and present a united front when the battle for 2027 begins.
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