Worries envelop Lagos as death strikes fifth female LG official in a row

Late Mrs. Akintola

The Lagos political and local government community has again been thrown into mourning following the death of Mrs. Adebimpe Akintola, council manager of Coker Aguda Local Council Development Area (LCDA).

Akintola, who also doubled as the chairman of the Forum of Council Managers in Lagos, passed away on Monday after a brief illness. Her death was confirmed in a statement issued on Tuesday by the Forum of Council Managers.

According to the statement, she was laid to rest on Tuesday in line with Islamic rites. Janazah prayers were observed at Al Kitab Mosque, Abosede Onamade Street, Eleshin, after the Zuhr prayer, before her interment at the Equitable CDA Muslim Cemetery, Igbe Lara.

Council managers serve as administrative heads of Lagos’ 20 local governments and 37 LCDAs, overseeing the day-to-day running of the councils as accounting officers

In his reaction, Lagos APC spokesman, Seye Oladejo, described her passing as “another sad incident” for the state. He extended condolences to her immediate family, the people of Coker Aguda LCDA, and the entire local government system in Lagos.

Her death adds to a worrying string of tragedies among female local government officials in Lagos. On August 13, Oluwakemi Rufai, councillor for Ward C in Ibeju Lekki, died less than two weeks after her inauguration. Five days later, on August 18, Zainab Shotayo, councillor for Ward C in Odiolowo-Ojuwoye LCDA, also passed away.

On September 20, Princess Oluremi Ajose, vice chairman of Badagry West LCDA, died, and barely 24 hours later, Basirat Oluwakemi Mayabikan, councillor for Ward F in Somolu Local Government, also passed.

Akintola’s passing now makes it the fifth recorded death of female local government officials in Lagos within just two months, sparking grief and unease across the state’s grassroots political circles.