Lagos female councillors’ death not political, says APC
Ogun State Independent Electoral Commission (OGSIEC) has fixed Saturday, September 20, 2025, for a by-election to fill the vacant councillorship seat in Ilaro Ward 1, Yewa South Local Council of the state.

Chairman of the Commission, Babatunde Osibodu, who disclosed this at a stakeholders’ meeting held at Oronna Hall, Ilaro, said that the exercise had become necessary following the death of the incumbent Councillor, the late Adekanbi Oluwaseun Olayinka.
 
Osibodu, who was represented by the Commissioner in charge of Legal Affairs, Remilekun Olaopa, stated that the election was not merely about filling a vacant seat but deepening grassroots democracy.
 
Osibodu, who assured the stakeholders of the Commission’s readiness to conduct a credible poll, said: “This election is not just about filling a seat. It is about honouring his memory and giving the people of Ilaro Ward 1 the opportunity to choose a new representative who will serve with dedication, honesty, and commitment.”

“OGSIEC is fully committed to conducting an election that is transparent, fair, and credible. This is not something the Commission can achieve alone. It requires the cooperation of the political parties, the candidates, the voters, and the entire community.”
 
He, therefore, urged political parties, candidates, and community members to conduct themselves peacefully, noting that the timely resolution of concerns would ensure a smooth process.
 
In their remark, Chairman of Yewa South Local Council, Babatunde Ogunsola, represented by his vice, Sheriff Bankole, and a political leader in Ilaro, Iyabode Apampa, represented by Adenike Akintade, lauded the Commission’s commitment and pledged peaceful conduct during the election.
 
The representatives of political parties also commended OGSIEC for engaging stakeholders early and urged it to ensure efficiency and proper coordination on election day.
 
Earlier in his welcome address, Permanent Secretary of the Commission, Suraj Abdul, called for peaceful conduct and full participation of political parties, stressing that the Commission’s effort would only be meaningful if embraced by all stakeholders. 

IN another development, the Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has dismissed the claims that the death of two female councillors in the state was political, describing such insinuations as unfounded and insensitive.
 
Two APC councillors, Oluwakemi Rufai, who represented Ward C1 in Ibeju-Lekki Local Council, and Zainab Shotayo, the only female councillor in Odiolowo-Ojuwoye Local Council Development Area (LCDA) in Ilupeju, Lagos, died in the same week, less than a month after being sworn into office.
 
However, their death sparked controversies, with some alleging that the circumstances surrounding their passing were not unconnected with Lagos politics.
 
But reacting to the allegations, the Lagos APC Spokesperson, Seye Oladejo, urged the public to refrain from spreading speculation and misinformation on the matter.
 
“It was read in the news that they were indisposed. It has nothing to do with any kind of politics. This is a surprise. It is in the place of man to taste death but once, and that can come at any time. There is no sector or vocation where we don’t witness death at any time,” he said.