By Prosper Olayiwola
The Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has strongly denied claims suggesting that the recent deaths of two female councillors in the state were politically motivated, describing such assertions as baseless and insensitive.
The late councillors, Oluwakemi Rufai of Ward C1 in Ibeju-Lekki Local Government Area and Zainab Shotayo of Odiolowo-Ojuwoye LCDA in Ilupeju, tragically passed away within the same week—less than a month after assuming office. 
Their untimely deaths have sparked speculation online, with some questioning if there were political undertones.
However, according to iReporter Online, the APC has dismissed these speculations, urging the public to refrain from politicising what it called unfortunate but natural occurrences.
In a statement issued by the party’s spokesperson, Seye Oladejo, the APC emphasised that both councillors had been reportedly unwell before their deaths and insisted that there was no political link.
“Their deaths had nothing to do with politics,” Oladejo stated. “Wherever such insinuations are coming from demeans humanity. Death is inevitable—it cuts across professions and backgrounds.”
Oladejo also reiterated the APC’s longstanding commitment to women’s political inclusion.
According to iReporter Online, he highlighted the party’s consistent efforts to ensure female representation at all levels of governance in Lagos.
“Our women occupy key positions across the board,” he noted.
“There is a deliberate policy in place to allocate significant political space to women. It is therefore unreasonable to accuse a party that empowers women of acting against them.”
He concluded by urging the public to show respect to the memories of the deceased and avoid exploiting their deaths for political narratives.
According to iReporter Online, the Lagos APC remains unwavering in its commitment to gender equity and inclusiveness in politics, and any suggestion to the contrary is both “unfair and inhumane.”
