There is a growing death scares amongst females elected in the last Local Council election in Lagos.
The concern stems over the deaths of four female elected officials in the last council poll in the state. The four officials died two months after they were sworn into office.
A total 114 women councillorship and 10 chairmanship candidates secured the tickets to run under the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the July 12, 2025 local council elections in Lagos State.
Elected officials were sworn in on July 27, 2025 by the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
The tragedy started on August 13, 2025 when the Councillor representing Ward C1 in Ibeju-Lekki Local Council Area, Oluwakemi Rufai, died after a brief illness. She was the only female legislative council in her community.
Five days later, Councillor for Ward C3Odi-Olowo/Ojuwoye Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Zainab Shotayo, died on August 18, 2025.
At 30, Shotayo was one of the youngest councillors in Lagos State and the only woman in her council. Reports confirmed she also passed away after a brief illness.
While the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Lagosians were still morning the loss, 38 days later, specifically on on September 20, 2025, Vice Chairman, Badagry West LCDA, Princess OluremiAjose.
Barely 24 hours later, September 21, 2025, Councillor for Ward F in Shomolu Local Council Area, Basirat Kemi Mayabikan died.
Basirat Kemi Mayabikan September 21, ( 56days after inauguration), Oluremi Ajose September 20,(55 days after inauguration), Zainab Shotayo August 18, (22 days after inauguration), Olukemi Rufai August 13 (17 days after inauguration)
While the causes of death of the officials elected on July 12, 2025 remain unclear, the frequency of the losses has left colleagues and constituents devastated.
Questions have continued to be asked following the deaths of the four female elected officials in Lagos State, all of whom died within weeks of assuming office.
Many online described the sequence of events as suspicious and pressed for clearer information about what happened.
However, Lagos APC spokesperson, Seye Oladejo, dismissed suggestions that the deaths of female elected officials in the state reflect political hostility toward women.
“Our government encourages women to come on board; we are gender-friendly and sensitive. It is unfortunate if anybody is thinking in that line. It is really sad. If this is coming from certain quarters, it is inhumane.” He said.
Chairman, Ibeju-Lekki, Sesan Olowa, described Rufai’s death as a rude shock that robbed the community of a rare voice for women in local government, the Vanguard Newspaper reported.
Somolu Local Government Chairman, Lateef Ashimi, paid tribute to Mayabikan, describing her as humble, cheerful, friendly, and easy-going. He said her passing had left the entire Ward F in grief, with her family and constituents struggling to come to terms with the sudden loss.
Responding, Special Adviser on ICT to Chairman, Somolu Local Council Area, Kola Muhammed, said: “I contested at the primaries with Basirat Kemi Mayabikan of Ward F, Somolu Local Government. She got the ticket based on APC’s directive that women be considered or given the ticket. It’s so sad she had to die just two months after inauguration. Autopsy is required, I agree.”
When asked if it could cause fear amongst female elected members, he said: “When we had the three days prayer, the other female in her Local Government was visibly shaking. I saw her today(yesterday) too and the fear was visible. Her eyes are red and one could tell she’s afraid. Being the fact that there were two of them elected in the council, they could be close. That could also apply in the other Local Council Areas.
“The party has done well to give women chance and I was the first person to send her a congratulatory message and withdrawn from the primary but I think autopsy should be carried on all of them.
