Four Lagos female council officials die within two months of their inauguration

Four female officials of different local councils have died in Lagos — within two months of their election and inauguration.

The deceased are all members of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

On July 12, the APC was declared winner of all 20 LG chairmanship positions and 37 local council development area (LCDA) chairmanship polls conducted a day earlier.

Basirat Mayabikan, councillor for Ward F in Shomolu LGA; Oluremi Ajose, vice-chairman of Badagry West LCDA; Zainab Shotayo, councillor for Ward C3 in Odi-Olowo/Ojuwoye LCDA; and Oluwakemi Rufai, councillor representing Ward C1 in Ibeju-Lekki LG; all died in succession.

Mayabikan died on September 21, just 56 days after assuming office. Ajose passed away a day earlier on September 20.

Their deaths followed those of Shotayo who died on August 18, and Rufai, who passed away on August 13 — 17 days after her swearing-in.

‘NO FOUL PLAY’

Rufai, the only female voice in her legislative council, reportedly died after a brief illness.

Five days later, Shotayo, one of the youngest councillors in Lagos and the sole woman in her council, also passed away following a brief illness.

The causes of the deaths of Ajose, the daughter of Oyekan Possi Ajose, the Alapa of Apa Egun-Awori Kingdom; and Mayabikan, were not publicly stated.

Oluseye Oladejo, spokesperson for Lagos APC, described the situation as unfortunate, adding that insinuations of foul play would be disrespectful to the memories of the deceased.

“As much as the situation is most unfortunate, it smacks of disrespect to the memories of the departed to insinuate anything untoward,” Oladejo told TheCable.

“All of them happen to be from different local governments and local council development areas, so it can’t be pinned down to any internal crisis.

“We should allow the families, friends, party and well-wishers to mourn them in peace. There’s absolutely nothing to investigate.”