Concerns are growing within Badagry political and civic circles over what some residents describe as the continued marginalisation of the zone in the evolving conversation around the next governor of Lagos State.

The debate was recently reignited following a public commentary by Miyise Richard Surulere Fasinu, who questioned why Samuel Mauyon #Ajoseh (SMA), a prominent political figure from Badagry, is not being mentioned among the leading contenders being discussed across wider Lagos political spaces.

According to Fasinu, Badagry’s long-standing exclusion from the governorship since the creation of Lagos State makes a strong case for zoning the office to the division. He argued that while political conversations appear active within Badagry, strategic calculations are largely taking place elsewhere in the state.

He recalled the advocacy of late Hon. Abayomi Sutton and other leaders who previously drew attention to what they described as structural imbalance within Lagos politics, stressing that the present moment should be treated with greater urgency.

Fasinu noted that SMA has built visibility within Badagry through grassroots engagement and community support but warned that local popularity alone may not be sufficient without deliberate integration into broader state-level political networks.

Responding to the discussion, Folorunsho Miwawiwe Hunga said similar concerns had been raised months earlier within SMA’s inner caucus. He stated that assurances were given at the time that strategic alignments beyond Badagry were being handled, though he admitted the relative quiet outside the division remains troubling.

Other contributors echoed similar sentiments. Abiodun Sewanu Agosu emphasised the need for a stronger public relations strategy that extends beyond Badagry, while Babatunde Viavonu highlighted internal challenges within the zone, including weak collective solidarity and leadership fragmentation, which he said have historically limited political advancement.

Kunmavo Afolabi Tagbe noted that access to high-level political networks often determines visibility in governorship discussions, adding that Lagos politics has, at times, produced unexpected candidates.

Peter Wusa, however, expressed a more sceptical view, listing factors such as leadership body language, historical political posture, network reach across local governments, and the absence of a Lagos-centric campaign presence as obstacles facing any Badagry aspirant.

As conversations continue, many observers agree that the discussion reflects a broader anxiety about whether Badagry’s long-standing calls for inclusion will translate into tangible political outcomes or remain confined to internal debates.