By Ibrahim Kegbegbe
Lagos, Nigeria
As the All Progressives Congress (APC) prepares for its hotly anticipated chairmanship primaries in Eti-Osa West, scheduled for Saturday, May 10, 2025, fresh political undercurrents are reshaping the race — and one name now echoes louder than the rest: Omoba Adeola Alimot Adetoro.
Tension has gripped the camps of all six aspirants, but Adeola’s camp is witnessing an unmistakable surge in momentum. The sole female contender, who emerged with the highest score — 78.1% — in the recent APC screening held at the party’s secretariat in Acme, Ikeja, is fast becoming the race’s most formidable figure. Yet, what is fanning her growing influence extends beyond test scores and resumes.
Royal Blood, Political Roots
A top APC stalwart who requested anonymity told The Merit Newspaper that Adeola’s political rise is not accidental — it is steeped in pedigree and strategic alignment.
“She is the daughter of Omoba Murphy Adetoro,” the source revealed. “Omoba hails from the royal Kin of Ikate-Elegushi land and shares ancestral ties with His Royal Majesty, Oba Saheed Ademola Elegushi, Kusenla III.”
This royal connection, he argued, gives Adeola not only cultural legitimacy within Eti-Osa West but also access to a network of political influencers, particularly among Lagos elites.
Moreover, her father is a member of the Lagos State Governance Advisory Council (GAC), the highest decision-making organ of the APC in the state. “This places her closer to the core of political strategy in Lagos than any of her rivals,” the source added.
Loyalty, Legacy, and Local Influence
Adeola currently serves as the Vice Chairman of Eti-Osa West under outgoing Chairman Hon. Saheed Adesegun Bankole. Multiple sources close to the local government describe her as “a loyal and effective deputy,” suggesting that continuity could be a decisive theme in tomorrow’s primaries.
“She has never had a fallout with her boss,” the APC stalwart emphasized. “Hon. Bankole speaks highly of her. That matters a lot in a party like APC where loyalty and succession planning are closely monitored.”
Party Dynamics and Behind-the-Scenes Moves
While APC leadership has repeatedly insisted that no aspirant will be imposed, political actors within and beyond Eti-Osa suggest that influence — not imposition — could play a crucial role.
A female political leader from Lagos Mainland told The Merit Newspaper in a telephone interview:
“Yes, the party has said there will be no imposition, but let’s not be naive. There are loyalists of Adeola’s backers among the LG and state executive members. They know what to do — no one needs to force them.”
She argued that such influence doesn’t violate the party’s democratic process but merely reflects the power dynamics that shape intra-party decisions.
“These loyalists may vote for Adeola not because they were forced but because they recognize where the political tide is turning,” she said.
What’s at Stake in Eti-Osa West
Eti-Osa West is one of Lagos State’s most economically significant councils, covering affluent areas like Lekki, Chevron, VGC, Jakande, and parts of Ajah. With expanding infrastructure needs, growing populations, and youth unemployment, the next chairman will shoulder more than ceremonial power.
A Litmus Test for APC’s Promises
If Adeola secures the party’s ticket, she will make history as the first female chairmanship candidate in Eti-Osa West, setting the stage for a real-world test of APC’s oft-repeated commitment to gender inclusion and youth empowerment.
But for now, as power brokers make last-minute calls and alliances shift in real-time, all eyes are on Acme Road, Ikeja, where the fate of Eti-Osa West’s next chapter will be written behind closed doors — but with consequences that will echo far beyond them.
