Aggrieved members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Eti-Osa East Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Lagos State, have petitioned the party’s Lagos Central Senatorial District Reconciliation Committee over what they described as a deliberate attempt to marginalise women in local politics.

At a press briefing in Lagos, the group appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, to intervene and ensure that the Vice Chairmanship slot, initially allotted to Balogun Rashidat Fadewe, is restored ahead of the July 12 local council elections.

According to Mr. Jerry Ogunyemi, a party leader from Ward C, Fadewe, the only female among six aspirants, had emerged second in the primary election and was subsequently given the vice chairmanship slot in line with gender-balancing practices.

However, he alleged that the slot was later withdrawn and handed to a man who neither bought a nomination form nor participated in the screening process.

“She was screened, contested, and placed second, which should have made her the automatic choice for vice chairman under our gender equity tradition,” Ogunyemi said.

“We were shocked to learn the slot had been reassigned to someone who wasn’t even part of the process. This marginalisation of women must end.”

Mr. Babatunde Joseph, another party chieftain, echoed the sentiment, decrying what he described as systemic exclusion of women in the council’s politics.

He noted that Fadewe, a two-time councilor, had made significant contributions to the community, including facilitating land for a health centre, market, and secondary school.

“She would be the first female vice chairman if given the opportunity,” Joseph said. “First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu has always championed women’s political inclusion. What message does this send when a qualified woman is denied her rightful position?”

In her remarks, Fadewe called on the party leadership to uphold justice. “I am appealing to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene. Why must women keep fighting just to be recognised in politics?” she asked.

The group warned that the ongoing dispute could further polarise the party and affect its prospects in future elections.