By Catherine Egwuom
In a male dominated political landscape, Sen. Idiat Adebule has been unanimously adopted as the consensus candidate for the All Progressive Congress, Lagos West Senatorial District primary election.
Adebule’s victory has been seen by stakeholders, party leaders, members as a testament to her enduring popularity and leadership qualities.
The endorsement exercise was held across the 10 LGAs under Lagos West Senatorial District.
Speaking to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Monday, Mrs Regina Iyabo Obasa, Director Women Affairs, Adebule Senatorial Campaign Team, said Adebule had performed beyond expectations.
She said that notwithstanding being in a male dominated political structure, the incumbent senator was outstanding and had no rival.
” Her constituency is half of Lagos and she made sure she discharged her legislative duties across her constituency.
“I don’t want to talk about previous years, this year alone, she empowered 5000 constituents in their chosen fields, sponsored 20 bills, and co-sponsored over 30 bills”.
“She is fully involved in her legislative duties, that is why nobody is contesting with her,” she said.
Mr Kolawole Fagbenro, the Vice- Chairman of Ejigbo Local Council Development Area, told NAN that Adebule had performed credibly well and deserved to be the consensus candidate.
“If nobody is aspiring against her, it affirms that she has done credibly well and her credibility was seen when she was the deputy governor of the state.
“She is loved by both male and female members of our party and that is why she emerged unopposed,” she said.
Also hailing Adebule’s fearless courage to tread in a male dominated sphere, the Chairman of Ajeromi-Ifelodun Local Government, Mr Olalekan Akindipe, commended the performance of women in leadership, saying that women were capable of delivering effective representation.
According to him, President Bola Tinubu has continued to encourage women participation in politics.
“What a man can do, a woman can also do better. Gender equality is what we do in Lagos State.
“Our leader, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, embraces women in politics and encourages them because they also have the right to vote and be voted for,” he said.
He added that Adebule’s unopposed status reflected the confidence party members had in her leadership.
Similarly, the Coordinator of Ajeromi-Ifelodun Local Government, Mrs Pat Tekobo, described Adebule as a ‘grassroots politician’ loved by residents.
“The love for Mama West as most people fondly call is massive. Some call her ‘Sisi West’, some call her ‘Mother for All’, depending on how they have benefited from her,” she said.
Tekobo said the senator had executed several a lot of developmental and empowerment projects across the area.
Beyond that, she said Adebule has done empowerment programmes, training programmes and seminars for women, youths and residents.
“Her projects have trained and empowered many women to be financially independent.
“She is a mother for everybody,” she said.
Tekobo urged women in Lagos West to support Adebule’s return to the Senate to encourage female representation in governance.
“Women are the bedrock and mothers of the nation. They should support and vote for our sister so that she can continue to promote the image of women and everyone in general,” she said.
The consensus adoption of Adebule as APC Lagos West Senatorial candidate in a male-dominated landscape underscores the critical need for increased women representation and active participation in Nigeria’s evolving political governance.
Her emergence unopposed proves that when female leaders receive equitable access to platforms, they deliver highly impactful, grassroots-driven governance that effectively transforms both local communities and national institutions.
To sustain this democratic equity, political structures must deliberately dismantle systemic barriers, ensuring more women contest, lead, and contribute their invaluable perspectives to the nation’s decision-making chambers.
When female leaders perform exceptionally in office, they shatter long-standing gender stereotypes and pave the secure pathways for future generations of women to be trusted with high-level political leadership.
Moreover, delivering tangible democratic dividends to constituents validates the push for gender equity, proving that women in power are not mere space-occupiers but catalysts for impactful governance.(NAN)(www nannews.ng)
Edited by Vivian Ihechu
