Battle of Princesses: Tension Rises Ahead of Ikosi-Isheri LCDA Election

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By Bilesanmi Abayomi

As Lagos State prepares for elections across its 20 Local Governments and 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs), political tensions are heating up in Ikosi-Isheri LCDA, Kosofe Local Government. Former Vice Chairman, Princess Bola Kazeem, has thrown her hat into the ring for the LCDA chairmanship, declaring herself the rightful successor—a move that has sparked debate and intrigue.

Drawing parallels to her mentor, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who spent decades building his political network and ultimately achieving his “lifelong ambition” of becoming Nigeria’s president, Kazeem is resolute in her ambition. A prominent figure in the Tinubu Mandate Group, she has long been a key decision-maker in Ikosi-Isheri politics.

Kazeem’s political journey includes playing a pivotal role in the emergence of the current LCDA Chairman, Princess Samiat Bada, who is seeking re-election. Unlike standard local government chairmanship positions, LCDAs in Lagos do not have tenure limitations, allowing Bada to contest for another term despite having taken the oath of office twice.

However, relations between the two leaders appear to have soured. Many believe Kazeem should back Bada’s re-election bid, given her instrumental role in Bada’s 2021 campaign. But a widely circulated video of an incident at Gunwa Garage, Ketu, allegedly showing Bada publicly embarrassing Kazeem over levy collections, seems to have ended their once-close “mother-daughter” relationship.

Supporters of Kazeem have ramped up their campaign, asserting that she is the only candidate among over a dozen contestants who is truly prepared to lead Ikosi-Isheri LCDA. A popular campaign slogan from her camp states that “the headgear fits” Kazeem best.

As the election draws closer, the rivalry between the two princesses—both key figures in the political landscape of Ikosi-Isheri—has ignited passionate debates, with some warning against “unnecessary political heat” in the area.

The stage is set for a showdown in 2025, as residents watch closely to see who will emerge as the next leader of Ikosi-Isheri LCDA. Will it be a continuation of Princess Samiat Bada’s tenure, or will Princess Bola Kazeem chart a new path in the council’s history? Time will tell.

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