By Ibrahim Kegbegbe
Lagos, Nigeria — May 10, 2025
History was made today as Omoba Adeola Alimot Adetoro, the only female aspirant in the All Progressives Congress (APC) chairmanship race for Eti-Osa West, swept through the party’s primaries with an emphatic victory that is sending ripples across the Lagos political landscape.
At the APC secretariat on Acme Road, Ikeja, where 1,539 accredited delegates from Lagos State’s 20 Local Government Areas (LGAs) and 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) gathered under tight security, Adeola emerged victorious — clinching 22 out of the 27 delegate votes allocated to Eti-Osa. This result not only cemented her candidacy but positioned her as a political force to be reckoned with in the upcoming July 12 local government elections.
Cracking the Code of Power Politics
Political analysts and party stakeholders have described her win as a resounding upset in a system historically dominated by male aspirants. But Adeola, whose lineage traces to the royal family of Ikate-Elegushi and whose father, Omoba Murphy Adetoro, sits on the Lagos State Governance Advisory Council (GAC), has proven to be anything but ordinary.
Her royal pedigree and political savvy have made her a bridge between tradition and grassroots leadership. And now, with the APC chairmanship ticket in hand, she is poised to break another barrier — defeating the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Hon. Kazeem Ganiyu Olarenwaju (popularly known as Onipako) in the main election.
A Victory Stirring Discontent
However, not everyone received the results with applause. Shortly after Adeola’s victory was announced, murmurs of discontent were heard from a handful of delegates who claimed their votes “did not count.” Despite these grumblings, the primaries were supervised by a high-powered Electoral Committee chaired by Babatunde Ogala, SAN, who had earlier stressed that the process would be fair, transparent, and devoid of manipulation.
Security was also watertight, with operatives of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS), Mobile Police, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and the Department of State Services (DSS) deployed to keep order — a clear signal of the election’s significance to Lagos State’s ruling party.
A Gender Shift in Lagos Politics
With her win, Adeola is not just the APC’s candidate — she’s a symbol of shifting gender dynamics in local politics. Her landslide within Eti-Osa West underscores the growing confidence in female leadership and the hunger for reformative governance in high-stake urban districts like Lekki, Chevron, VGC, and Ajah.
“She’s proven that capacity, not gender, is what matters,” said an APC chieftain present at the venue. “This is not just a win for Adeola. It’s a win for every woman in Lagos who has dared to dream of political relevance.”
Countdown to July 12
With her rivals vanquished in the primaries and party support rallying behind her, all eyes now shift to the July 12 elections. Hon. Onipako of the PDP will undoubtedly present a formidable challenge, but insiders believe Adeola’s deep grassroots ties, administrative experience as Vice Chairman, and royal-political lineage will give her a distinct advantage.
If she secures the seat, she will become the first female chairman in Eti-Osa West — a historic feat that would challenge the gendered norms of Lagos politics and potentially influence future political alignments in the state.
Whether viewed as a royal legacy in action or a tactical political evolution, one truth is now undeniable: Adeola Adetoro has arrived — and she’s not waiting for permission.
View the footage of the event pasted below:
