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The Story Of Barrister BIMBOLA SALU-HUNDEYIN
In the last 2 weeks, Lagos has been flooded with news of Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat as the successor to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu. Discussions about his running mate are also ongoing among APC leaders. Several names are being tipped as potential running mate but it now appears more likely that the popular female politician, Secretary to the State Government, Barr. Bimbola Salu-Hundeyin, is the preferred choice among the party leaders after careful consideration.
Barr. Abimbola Salu-Hundeyin is a highly experienced legal practitioner and public servant currently serving in a prominent role. Her appointment to this crucial position was made by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu as part of his initial set of appointments for his second term, effective from June 8, 2023.
She succeeded the former SSG, Sherifat Folashade Jaji. The SSG is a vital administrative position responsible for coordinating activities across all government ministries, departments, and agencies.
Since her appointment as SSG, she has performed excellently in her role. One of her key qualities is her strong connection to her grassroots.
When her name came up as a possible running mate to Dr. Hamzat, many people within the party focused on political continuity, zoning, strengthening governance, and elevating her in the Badagry division. Representing the Badagry division, she is seen as a strong choice for balancing political alignment within the Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC).
As the SSG, she is a distinguished legal professional known for driving institutional excellence and strengthening government structure. She has also shown a strong focus on increasing opportunities for youth, especially in promoting security and civic participation, as demonstrated by her efforts to boost Lagosians enrollment in the military. These are some of the legacies the people of her constituency value greatly.
Another factor in her favour is that for many years, the people of Badagry have been yearning for governorship. The push for a Badagry Division governor in 2027 is rooted in calls for equity, fairness, and geographical rotation, since Badagry is the only one of Lagos State’s 5 divisions (IBILE) that has never produced a governor since 1967. Advocates argue it is their turn to lead for fairness, citing political loyalty and the need for development in the region. Their thinking is that her choice as Deputy Governor if and when actualised, is a step closer to the state’s No 1 seat.
Just a few months ago, monarchs and stakeholders argued that Lagos State governance has been skewed, with divisions like Epe, Ikorodu, Ikeja, and Lagos Island enjoying the governorship, while Badagry remains excluded. The “Badagry Ló Kàn” Movement, meaning “Badagry’s Turn,” advocates that for lasting peace, unity, and fair representation, the next governor should come from their division. Since Lagos State’s creation in 1967, no representative from Badagry has led the state. Proponents emphasize that Badagry has consistently supported the All Progressives Congress (APC) and contributed significant votes, demonstrating their commitment to the party. Supporters believe that a governor from Badagry will finally address long-standing developmental challenges in the division. Two months ago, Badagry Division formally called for the zoning of the Lagos State governorship to their area in the 2027 election, citing their historical contributions, political loyalty, and decades of exclusion from the state’s top leadership. The demand was made at a news conference led by royal fathers and community leaders from the division, headed by Dr Olalekan James, the Akweno of Kweme Kingdom, Badagry.
Addressing reporters, the monarchs framed their request as a matter of fairness, equity, and inclusion rather than agitation, stressing that Badagry remains the only one of Lagos State’s five traditional divisions yet to produce a governor since the state’s creation in 1967. “Badagry Division remains the only one among the five divisions in Lagos State yet to produce a governor. All other divisions, Epe, Ikorodu, Ikeja, and Lagos Island, have had the opportunity,” the royal fathers said. They described the gathering as “a moment of political reflection” and a necessary intervention to end what they termed a “culture of unprofitable silence” over the political marginalisation of the division. A prominent businessman and political figure from the ancient town, Samuel Mawuyon Ajose, was chosen as Badagry’s consensus candidate for the APC governorship ticket. They said Ajose has made contributions to the APC by supporting party structures, electoral logistics, grassroots mobilisation, and advocacy efforts across Lagos and the Southwest. So, when the APC leaders went with Dr Hamzat, there was a need to zone the running mate to Badagry for fairness and equity, as we have gathered.
Barr. Salu-Hundeyin graduated from Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) Ile-Ife in 1984. She is the Principal Counsel of A & H Abimbola Hundeyin and Co. The astute lawyer and amiable administrator currently holds the role of Chairperson of the African Union-African Population Experts Committee (AU-APEC).
