By Joshua Timi
With the July 2025 Local Government elections approaching, discontent is growing within the ranks of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Eti-Osa Local Government Area over claims that a party leader is forcing his daughter as the sole candidate for the chairmanship position.
Sources within the party allege that Omoba Murphy Adetoro, a two-term former chairman of the council and current member of the Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC), is pressuring other leaders to endorse his daughter, Adeola Alimot Adetoro, the incumbent vice chairman, as the party’s flagbearer.
The move has sparked outrage among grassroots members who argue that the Adetoro family has dominated leadership positions in the council for too long. A party member from Ward A, who spoke with TheWest Newspaper anonymously for fear of reprisals, questioned the fairness of the arrangement.
“Since the creation of additional LCDAs in 2003, Ward A has produced multiple chairmen, including Omoba Adetoro himself, Prince Anofi Elegushi, and Princess Abiodun Elegushi,” the source said. “Now, his daughter has been vice chairman for nearly eight years. Where is the equity?”
Concerns have also been raised about the alleged sidelining of other aspirants who have purchased nomination forms and campaigned extensively. A youth mobiliser from Ward E accused Adetoro of disregarding democratic principles.
“The chairmanship position cannot be a birthright,” the mobiliser said. “Our president, Bola Tinubu, earned his mandate through a competitive primary. Why should it be different here?”
The Asiwaju Bola Tinubu 2027 Youth Vanguard has warned that imposing an unpopular candidate could fracture the party’s unity and hurt its chances in the upcoming elections.
“We suffered in 2023 due to poor decisions, and we can’t afford a repeat,” a spokesperson for the group said. “Let the people choose their candidate democratically.”
As tensions escalate, APC members are calling on party leaders to ensure a transparent primary process to avoid further division.
